§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the President of the Board of Education in view of the basic reason given in Circular 1596 for the continuous opening of schools, namely, that the children of war workers should be fed, what proportion of elementary schools are, at present, supplied 874W with canteens and why schools have been asked to open, notwithstanding the absence of such provision which alone can enable them to discharge the function required?
§ Mr. ButlerAs stated in Circular 1596, a copy of which I have already sent to my hon. Friend, there are important reasons other than school feeding for keeping schools open during the holidays. Statistics of school meals in February last are contained in Command 6361. Since then there has been a considerable expansion of this service and large extensions are in hand.
§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that while the original order that all schools were to be closed during the summer vacation was broadcast to all the schools and published in the Press, Circular 1596 abrogating this order has not been so communicated to the teachers, that some education authorities have obliged schools in their districts to open when there was no necessity for it; and will he put a stop to this practice?
§ Mr. ButlerAs I have already informed my hon. Friend, no order was given by the Board for the closure of schools during the summer holidays. The Circular referred to recommended that arrangements to keep schools open where appropriate, should be made by the local education authority in consultation with the teachers. This practice has been followed, so far as I am aware, and I have expressed my appreciation of the manner in which teachers have co-operated. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with information to the contrary effect, in support of the latter part of the Question, I shall be glad to consider it.