§ Mr. HIRSTasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that numbers of schools are being closed in the West Riding Division of Yorkshire; that children under the age of six years are being excluded from schools; and that large numbers of teachers are being dismissed; and, if so, whether any instructions have been issued by the Board on the matter?
§ Mr. FISHERThe Board have in the last two months given consent to the closure of three public elementary schools in the West Riding geographical area, namely, one in the administrative county, and one in each of two of the county boroughs. The number of children on the rolls of these schools was about 108. I have no reason to suppose that any 1879W children for whom the local education authorities are bound to make provision are being excluded from school. The Board have no information of the number of teachers whose engagements are from time to time terminated by local education authorities or school managers; but I am confident that local education authorities will consult the Board before taking any action which might imperil the efficiency of the schools. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative, though the Board are inquiring into the staffing of schools in certain areas.