§ Mr. A. SHORTasked the President of the Board of Education whether, owing to the increase in teachers' salaries, any education authorities have closed any of their schools; if so, whether he can give the names of the authorities and the particular localities affected; whether any members of the teaching profession have been dismissed in consequence; if so, what action does he propose to take to ensure fair treatment for the teachers involved; and what provision is being made for the education of those children attending the schools which have been closed?
§ Mr. FISHERThe number of closures of schools during and since the War has been considerably smaller than before the War, and I have no reason to suppose that recent closures are specially attributable to the increase in teachers' salaries, though it is obvious that the cost of salaries is relevant to the question of the continuance or discontinuance of a school, and particularly a small one. As regards 1573W the last part of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to paragraph 21 of Schedule II. to the Act of 1902 and Section 49 of the Act of 1918.