asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received any estimate of the costs of building and equipment of the necessary new continuation schools under the Act of 1918; and whether he can state the amount which will have to be raised for this purpose by education authorities?

Mr. LEWIS:

Local education authorities have not, except in a few areas for which "Appointed Days" have been fixed, submitted estimates of the cost of buildings and equipment of continuation schools. Accommodation is being provided mainly, if not entirely, by the use and adaptation of existing buildings, the cost of which varies considerably but is far below that which the provision of new buildings would involve.

Is my hon. Friend aware that an influential body waited upon the Prime Minister on this subject, and will he give the House an undertaking that no expenditure in connection with this matter will be undertaken without the House being given a chance of expressing its opinion?

Is it not a fact that if the Government stopped wasting money in Ireland and elsewhere there would be plenty of money for education?