§ Mr. Pooleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the number of children on the register of the elementary schools of Staffordshire; how many free places are available in secondary schools in the area of the county; and whether he is satisfied that this number is adequate?
Mr. LindsayThe number of children on the registers of public elementary schools in Staffordshire, excluding the county boroughs, on 31st March, 1938, was 102,754. The number of pupils in secondary schools in the same area on 1153W 1st October last who were totally or partially exempt from payment of fees was 2,057. The percentage of assisted pupils to the number of children in public elementary schools is lower in Staffordshire than in some comparable areas, but I should not be prepared to express an opinion as to the adequacy of such provision in any area in the absence of evidence as to the extent of the demand for secondary education in that area.