§ Sir G. Jonesasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that when the London County Council school in Stoke Newington, Church Street, was opened on Tuesday last a large number of children of eight to 11 years of age were refused admission on the ground that there was no room for them; that the reason there was no room was owing to the admission of children resident in Hackney; that the Stoke Newington children so refused admission were referred to a school in Hackney; and whether he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Mr. RamsbothamI have made inquiries, and I understand that the facts are substantially as stated. Under the arrangements for opening schools in London it is not always possible for a child to be admitted to the school which he previously attended, and certain of the children who applied for admission to the Stoke Newington Church Street School were advised to seek admission at the neighbouring Hackney High Street School, which is only five minutes' walk away. Instructions have, however, been given to the head teachers of both schools to make at once such adjustments as are necessary to enable as many of the children as possible to attend the schools nearest their homes. I would add that other schools in the district are being reopened as rapidly as shelter accommodation can be provided.