§ 9. Mr. Edmund Harveyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what arrangements are being made to provide for the continuation, as far as practicable, of facilities for adult education, and for technical and other education for juveniles in evacuation areas, neutral areas and reception areas?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Kenneth Lindsay)On 16th September the Board authorised the opening in evacuation areas of technical schools, evening institutes and other institutions of further education—as was already permissible in neutral and reception areas—subject to certain conditions relating to the protection of students. This decision, which applies also to adult education classes, was taken in view of the Board's conviction of the national importance of these types of education. A communication is about to be issued to local education authorities impressing upon them the desirability of opening evening institutes wherever possible, and the special problems of the adult education service are receiving the Board's active consideration. It will be appreciated that most of the institutions concerned are in industrial centres, the majority of which are vulnerable areas, and it must inevitably take some time for authorities to arrange for the protection of students and for compliance with lighting regulations.
§ Mr. HannahIs it the policy of the Government to encourage university extension work as far as possible during the war?
§ Mr. LindsayThe policy of the Government is to keep all possible forms of adult education alive.
§ 10. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can make a statement indicating the arrangements made in regard to the education of children in areas to which the number of children evacuated are beyond the capacity of the existing schools?
§ Mr. K. LindsayAuthorities are tackling this problem on the lines suggested in the Board's Circular 1474, namely by the hiring of other accommodation, by the use of a double-shift system and by the development of outside activities which aim at utilising the resources of the countryside as a means of education. In some cases a school has been, and others may be, moved to another area where educational conditions are easier.
§ Mr. GriffithsIn areas like that—my own being one of them—where the school population now far exceeds the school accommodation, will the Minister arrange with the other Departments that the local education authorities shall have priority over at least some of the Departments which are now claiming schools in those areas?
§ Mr. LindsayWe are looking into that matter very carefully. I am aware that there is some competition. If the hon. Member will give me particulars of any case I shall be glad to do what I can.
§ 11. Mr. Harveyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is taking steps to make arrangements for the leisure-time occupation of evacuated children in the reception areas; and whether the help of women's institutes and other local organisations is being enlisted for this purpose?
§ Mr. LindsayThis matter is dealt with in the Board's Circular 1474, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. In that circular stress is laid on the importance of utilising existing social organisations. Valuable help is already being given by women's institutes and other voluntary bodies. In addition, the Board's officers are in touch with central offices of large organisations, which are in turn advising their local branches to offer help to the schools.
§ Mr. SorensenHas the hon. Member been in contact with the directors of education in the counties in regard to this matter so as to stimulate local reception committees?
§ Mr. LindsayFrom the beginning the directors of education have had this matter very closely in mind.
§ Mr. HarveyWill the Board be prepared to give financial help where it is necessary to get further accommodation for play centres and for occupations out of school hours?
§ Mr. LindsayA variety of arrangements is being made in the reception areas with the object of utilising every existing building, from a church hall to a cricket pavilion.
Viscountess AstorIs the hon. Gentleman aware that already a great deal is being done and that financial help is not needed?
§ Mr. Boulton(by Private Notice) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware of the difficulties in maintaining adequate facilities for the social and recreational welfare of young adolescents during wartime; and, in view of the urgency of the matter, whether he will take steps to promote and assist adequate facilities through statutory and voluntary agencies?
§ Mr. LindsayMy Noble Friend is keenly alive to the importance of this matter. He has already taken steps, in consultation with other Departments, to examine the problem and he hopes at an early date to be able to announce what steps he proposes to take to deal with those problems as speedily and effectively as possible. In the meantime, he hopes that organisations concerned with the welfare of young people will use such efforts as they reasonably can to prevent their personnel being dispersed.
§ Mr. BurkeWill the hon. Gentleman make representations to the War Department that lads' clubs and other social clubs should not be commandeered by the military authorities?
§ Mr.LindsayThat is already being considered.
§ Mr. DenmanIs the National Fitness Council being kept in being?
§ Mr. LindsayThe National Fitness Council has been disbanded, but some of the work is of such great national importance that it is hoped to build an organisation effectively to deal with it.
§ Mr. StokesCan the hon. Gentleman say whether it is a fact that the National Fitness personnel has now been transferred to the Ministry of Information?