§ Mr. CROOM-JOHNSONasked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received a representation from the Somerset Education Committee that, in view of the difficulties of reorganisation in the rural counties and of providing new or adapting existing school buildings, it is essential that a Clause should be inserted in the Bill for raising the school age and empowering the Board of Education to fix different dates for bringing the Act into force in different counties or portions of counties; and whether he is prepared to accede and give effect to the terms of such representation?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANI have received the representation referred to, but there are serious objections to fixing different dates for bringing the Act into force. I may add that the careful and thorough programme submitted by the Somerset authority encourages me to expect that their preparations are likely to be largely completed by the time that the raising of the school age has taken effect.
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the President of the Board of Education the governing principles upon which need will be assessed in deciding the eligibility for 2096W maintenance of children over 35 years of age under the Bill for raising the school-leaving age?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANI am not yet in a position to add anything to the statement which I made in answer to questions on 23rd January, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.
§ Dr. FORGANasked the President of the Board of Education the estimated number of school children over 14 years of age that will be in attendance in April, 1931?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANThe estimated number of children over 14 years of age who will be in attendance at public elementary schools in England und Wales, on 1st April, 1931, is 157,000?