Major BARKERasked the President of the Board of Education what is the cost to the State for the employment of His Majesty's inspectors of elementary and secondary schools; and how many persons are so employed?
§ Mr. FISHERI assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to all grades of the Board's Inspectorate, and not merely to the particular grade, the members of which are entitled "His Majesty's Inspectors." On this assumption, the annual cost of the inspection by the Board of Education of elementary and secondary schools in England is at present rates £251,457. I am unable to state separately what is the cost of the Board's inspection of elementary and secondary schools in Wales. The staff engaged on this work is also responsible for the inspection of technical schools, etc., in Wales. The total annual cost of the inspection of all grades of education in Wales is at present rates £22,954. The number of full-time inspectors at present employed on the inspection of elementary and secondary schools in England is 277, of whom 260 give their whole time and 17 part of their time to such inspections. Occasional inspectors are also employed at a fee per day. The number of full-time inspectors of all grades of education in Wales is 27.