§ 17. Sir Percy Harrisasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether it is proposed to make arrangements for the education of the children of school age left in London; whether he is aware that the numbers are increasing because of the return of many children who were evacuated; and whether something can be done at an early date to deal with this urgent problem?
Mr. LindsayI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for East Lewisham (Sir A. Pownall).
§ Sir P. HarrisDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that one of the results of these schools being closed is that ratepayers and taxpayers are paying for education and the children are being robbed of the advantage of it; and do not the Government realise the necessity of really thinking out a scheme that should come into early operation, so that we shall not have a generation of children growing up illiterate?
Mr. LindsayI can assure the hon. Baronet that we are fully aware of that, and for that reason we are issuing a circular suggesting an immediate way out.
§ Mr. LewisWill my hon. Friend be careful to do nothing to encourage people to bring back children who have already been evacuated?
Mr. LindsayThat is one of the important points to be taken into account in dealing with this question.