asked the President of the Board of Education, as there are three times as many women teachers in public elementary schools in England and Wales as men teachers, if he will take steps to see that boys over 14 years of age when the school age is raised compulsorily shall be taught by men teachers only?

I have no doubt that local authorities and managers will be generally anxious to have a large number of men teachers for the older boys in the schools.

The question to which I want an answer is whether the right hon. Gentleman will see that these boys are always taught by men teachers. I do not think that this question should be left to the action of the local authorities, and it is a matter which ought to be dealt with by the Board of Education.

The system under which we are working is that the local authorities use their own judgment in the matter.

Is the President of the Board of Education going to take any special steps to see that men teachers are provided?

I stated quite recently that the extra teachers who are being trained in the colleges this year have a larger proportion of men than usual.

Is it the policy of His Majesty's Government to teach the youth of this country by women?

Certainly not. I have already pointed out that the discretion lies with the local education authority.

Is it not the policy of this country to teach the children through the most efficient teachers who are available?