HC Deb 10 March 1926 vol 192 cc2331-2W
Sir B. FALLE

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the elementary schools in Portsmouth were closed for two half-days and opened for restricted hours for

in unemployment in the South Wales and North-East Coast mining districts and the United Kingdom as a whole, respectively, since August last up to the latest returns in his possession?

Mr. BETTERTON

The information is contained in the following table:

another two half-days during the week commencing 28th February to allow teachers to hold a bazaar in aid of their union funds; and whether the Government grant will be paid for the four afternoons in question?

Lord E. PERCY

I have no information on this matter. It is within the discretion of the local authority to give directions as to the holidays to be allowed in elementary schools, provided that the number of school meetings in the year does not fall below the minimum required by the Regulations. The Regulations also require that, whenever a school meets but is not open for secular instruction for the requisite minimum period, the attendances of the children shall not be reckoned for the calculation of grant.