asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of children attending elementary and secondary schools who were receiving school meals at the end of October, and for the same period last year; and the total cost in each case?

The total number of public elementary school children in receipt of school meals under the former provision of Meals Acts (now re-enacted in Sections 82 to 85 of the Education (Consolidation) Act, 1921) at the end of October, 1922, was 52,921, as compared with 100,266 at the end of October, 1921. I cannot give the total gross or net cost of meals provided up to that date, but the average cost per meal supplied during the year ending 31st March, 1922, was 3·88d. The Provision of Meals Acts did not extend to secondary schools.

If the present rate of unemployment continues over the winter, is it the intention of the Department to continue the Provision of Meals (School Children) Act?

The question of the provision of meals is governed by Statute and I have no power to interfere with the operation of the Statute. It is laid down by Parliament.

Is it not a fact that the reduction in the number of children is due to the amount paid for the feeding of the children being placed against the amount of out-relief paid to the parents?

To a certain extent that is so, because a short time ago it became apparent that the design of Parliament to provide meals from the point of view of the education of the children was, to some extent, being used as poor relief and it was not an educational service.

That means that it has been shifted from the central fund on to the local rates.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the town council of Gateshead has decided to dismiss all teachers in its service and that all the elementary schools are now closed and have been closed since 31st October; if he can explain how this state of things has arisen; and what action he intends to take in the matter?

I understand that the local education authority for Gateshead proposed that the scale of salaries for teachers in public elementary schools of the area should be reduced from Standard Scale III of the Burnham Committee's Report to Standard Scale II. The teachers concerned did not agree to the proposal, and the authority, therefore, decided to give them notice for the termination of their engagements, intending to re-engage them at the lower scale. The teachers have net consented to this, and the schools are at present closed. I am watching the situation closely, and hope that an opportunity may occur for a re-consideration of the position by all parties concerned.

Does the local authority get the grant under these circumstances?

Is there no means by which you can interfere with the unfortunate system which is causing 23,000 children not to be receiving education?

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of provided and non-provided elementary schools in England and Wales in 1913 and 1922, respectively; and the accommodation in such schools?

The figures are as follow:—

I think I can answer the last question by answering the first. The attitude of the Board with regard to the question of the scales has always been that while they would recognise the Burnham scales for the payment of grant, they have always held that it is not their province to impose the scales on local authorities if they are not willing to adopt them, and with regard to what the hon. Member for Gateshead (Mr. Brotherton) says, I fully recognise the deplorable situation, and should be only too glad to use any influence in my power to assist towards a solution.

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the total number of boys and girls who left the elementary schools at the end of the last summer term in the London area and in England and Wales, respectively; and whether he has any record showing the total number of these who have obtained regular employment?

I regret that I cannot give figures for the children who left school at the end of any particular term, and the latest complete figures which I have are for those who left school in the course of the year ending 31st March, 1921. I will send my hon. Friend those figures, but I have no information as to how many of the children who left to enter employment did, in fact, obtain regular employment.

Could the hon. Gentleman consider the question of what is going to be done with these boys and girls, from 14, who have not passed to secondary schools and cannot get employment?

That question is at present engaging the attention of the Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to a proposal of the Mexican Government to honour their national obligations to British creditors in respect to Mexican Government securities issued prior to 1910?

His Majesty's Government are informed that an agreement was made on 16th June last between the Mexican Government and an international bankers' committee providing for the readjustment of Mexican Government obligations and the resumption of payments by the Mexican Government on an agreed basis. The first payments under this arrangement are due to be made during the year 1923. The agreement has been approved by the Mexican Congress.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether that agreement has been ratified?

Yes. I understand that is has been ratified.