asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many classes there are with over 50 pupils in each of them; what progress was made in 1934 to reduce the number; and whether he is in a position to outline what will be done this year to reduce them?

On the 31st March, 1934, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 6,194 classes in public elementary schools with more than 50 children on the books, as compared with 8,296 a year earlier. This represents a reduction by over 2,000 in the number of such classes, or 25 per cent., in one year. These large classes now constitute only 4.1 per cent, of the total number of classes. With regard to the latter part of the question, the Board will continue to press for the elimination of overlarge classes.

While thanking the hon. Member for the progress made, may I ask if the average is uniform in the various areas, or are there areas with, say, more than 10 per cent. of larger classes?

I cannot say without notice.

Can the hon. Member say how much of this satisfactory decline is due to the fall in the child population at school?

I cannot say off-hand.