§ Mr. GROVESasked the President of the Board of Education the number of new schools provided in England and Wales since the War; the total amount expended upon them; if any Reports have been made between his Department and the various local education authorities regarding the present condition of many of the schools in the country; and whether, in view of the need for new buildings, he will submit to the Minister of Labour proposals involving financial assistance to local authorities whereby the need for schools shall be satisfied?
§ Lord E. PERCYI assume that the question relates to elementary schools. The number of new public elementary schools provided in England and Wales between the 1st April, 1919, and the 31st. March, 1921, is 310 (England, 239: Wales, 71); I am unable to state at short notice the amount of expenditure incurred in their provision. With regard to the third part of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me on 26th February last to the hon. Member for Newton (Mr. R. Young), a copy of which I am sending him. As regards the
1158W
— 1913. 1923. 1924 (provisional). Million Tons. Percentage proportion of Total Output. Million Tons. Percentage proportion of Total Output. Million Tons. Percentage proportion of Total Output. *Exports (including coal equivalent of coke and manufactured fuel exported). 82.0 28.5 88.8 32.2 68.9 25.8 Coal shipped for the use of steamers engaged in the Foreign Trade. 21.5 7.5 18.4 6.6 17.9 6.7 Home Consumption (including coal shipped for the use of vessels engaged in the Coastwise Trade). 183.8 64.0 168.8 61.2 180.2 67.5 Total output 287.3 101.0 276.0 100.0 267.0 100.0 *includes coal shipped as cargo to Ireland. last part of the question. financial assistance is already given to local authorities by way of grant on building expenditure, and I do not propose, as at present advised, to vary the existing arrangements.