HC Deb 11 March 1940 vol 358 cc843-4W
Mr. Ridley

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many elementary schools in Great Britain are now being used for emergency purposes, and are therefore not available in whole, or in part, for educational purposes?

Mr. Lindsay

According to the returns received from local education authorities in January the number of school buildings in evacuation and neutral areas in England and Wales which were wholly or partly in use for other services at the beginning of the current school term was as follows. Since that date a large number of the schools have been returned to educational use.

— Number of school buildings occupied for other purposes.
Wholly. Partly.
Evacuation areas 333 1,255
Neutral areas 83 353

In the Board's Circular 1498 and Ministry of Home Security Circular 21 (1940) of 7th February, local education authorities and A.R.P. authorities were urged to make every effort to release schools occupied for civil defence purposes as soon as the local education authority is ready to make use of them. The Board are in communication with the War Office regarding the release of schools occupied for military purposes. In the case of schools used only partly for non-educational services the portion of the buildings occupied is in the great majority of instances very restricted and does not necessarily cause any appreciable interference with the normal working of the school. Precise information is not available as to the number of schools used for emergency purposes in reception areas, but the number is small and arrangements are being made to secure their release where the school work is affected.

Mr. Sorensen

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that many school buildings have been structurally altered to secure decontamination centres and other air-raid precautions services; and whether, in view of the reopening of the schools for educational purposes, he will encourage local authorities, whenever possible, to transfer these decontamination and air-raid precautions centres to other suitable sites, unless able to serve all needs of the school?

Mr. Lindsay

The answer to both parts of the Question is in the affirmative. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Board's circular of 7th February and of a circular issued by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security which deal fully with this matter.