HC Deb 22 July 1908 vol 193 cc92-3
MR. BRIDGEMAN (Shropshire, Oswestry)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education, whether the reference to the Inter-Departmental Committee on compulsory attendance at school includes rural as well as urban districts; and, if so, which of the members of the Committee have been appointed on account of their experience of rural education and agriculture.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Mr. RUXCIMAN,) Dewsbury

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. I have no doubt that ample evidence on the rural aspects of the subject will be laid before the Committee, and I feel certain that a Committee which includes Lord Clifford of Chud-leigh is competent to sift and consider such evidence.

MR. BRIDGEMAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of having on the Committee more than one Member cognisant with rural education and agriculture?

MR. RUNCIMAN

I cannot regard the Members of this Committee as being representatives of one particular section. They will hear evidence from all persons extent of the tourist traffic in whose concerned in this question, and will no doubt give a sensible judgment upon it.