§ Mr. IRVINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that less than 5 per cent. of chil- 1611W dren leaving the elementary schools every year enter the secondary schools, that of those who do enter the secondary schools a large number are withdrawn, owing to the poverty of their parents, before the age of sixteen, and of the urgent importance of providing full opportunities of access to the highest education for all children and young persons likely to profit by them, he will consider the desirability of the Government further supplementing, with grants of money from the national Exchequer or by an overriding system of national scholarships, the inadequate provision at present made by local education authorities of scholarships and maintenance allowances tenable at secondary schools, universities, and other places of higher education?
§ Mr. FISHERThe point raised by the hon. Member is at present under my consideration, and I fully recognise its importance.