§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Education how many members of His Majesty's Forces are at present receiving training or instruction at the South-West Essex Technical College and School of Art; how many are taking rehabilitation courses; how many ordinary and special subject classrooms, respectively, are at present occupied by these courses; what is the present number of students receiving 42W training at the college under the Emergency Training Scheme; and how many classrooms do they occupy.
§ Mr. TomlinsonAccording to my information 50 members of His Majesty's Forces are at present receiving instruction at the institution in question, occupying four classrooms full-time and one part-time. These students will complete their course at the end of next month. In addition 80 persons are understood to be taking special rehabilitation courses occupying two classrooms full-time and six classrooms and three special subjects rooms part-time. The number of students receiving training under the Emergency Training Scheme is understood to be 132, occuping six classrooms and two special subjects rooms.
§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Education whether he is satisfied that all the children awarded scholarships since March, 1941, to the South-West Essex County Technical School are being afforded the same facilities as those attending the other county high schools in the same area in regard to accommodation, equipment, etc.; or whether, in view of the announcement that equality of educational opportunities and facilities is to be given to all children after 1st April, 1947.; he will take steps to rectify the position.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI am not satisfied with the accommodation at present available for the majority of the children attending the South-West Essex Secondary Technical school. Adequate facilities for this school cannot be provided, however, until it becomes possible for the Local Education Authority to build an entirely new school. In the meantime, the Authority intend to carry out improvements to the premises at present occupied by the school and their proposals are being dealt with as quickly as possible.
§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the need for co-operation between parents, teachers and local education authorities, he will take steps to have rescinded the instructions given by the chairman of the governors of the South-West Essex County Technical School refusing recognition of a voluntary association of some boo parents.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI am anxious to see helpful co-operation between parents, teachers and local education authorities in 43W all matters affecting the educational service. Neither the Education Acts nor the Ministry's regulations govern the recognition by school authorities of parent's associations and the precise arrangements for securing effective cooperation must be settled locally according to the circumstances in the area concerned.