§ Mr. NEALasked the President of the Board of Education how many elementary schools have been used as military hospitals during the War; how many have already been evacuated; and, having regard to the shortage of school accommodation, he will take steps to secure that the buildings shall receive preferential treatment as the hospitals are reduced in size?
§ Mr. FISHERAccording to the information in my possession the number of public elementary schools which have been used as military hospitals during the War is 132. Of these twenty-two have now been vacated and in the case of twenty-six others the War Office have stated that it is hoped to release them shortly. I am in constant communication with the War Office regarding the release of schools occupied for military purposes. I understand that schools are already given preferential treatment as regards such release.