§ Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Education how many independent schools have registered with his Department; what percentage this represents of the total; and if he will make a statement on the information resulting from registration in accordance with Part III of the Education Act, 1944.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd1,436 independent schools already recognised by me as efficient are by Order exempted from registration, and under Section 70 of the Education Act, 1944, are deemed to be registered. The proprietors of other independent schools must apply before 31st March next to have their schools registered, and 1,930, or about two-thirds of them, have now made valid applications. I have made the registration of 431 of these schools final. All but 51 of the remainder have been granted provisional 139W registration, and have been, or will shortly be, visited by H.M. Inspectors. Our present experience of the results of registration is limited and I would therefore prefer not to make any general comments.