§ *MR. MONTAGU (Cambridgeshire, Chesterton)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether the terms of reference to his Inter-Departmental Committee include the hearing of evidence in support of extended facilities for taking children away from school to engage in such remunerative work as can be safely entrusted to young children, or to help in domestic work; whether it is intended to exclude such evidence; and whether he can see his way to frame impartial terms and sot up an impartial committee.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Mr. RUNCIMAN,) Dewsbury)The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. So far as I am aware the Committee and the terms of reference are impartial. In any case I should be sorry to hazard a guess as to the direction in which my hon. friend thinks they are biassed.
§ *MR. MONTAGUBut is there not a considerable belief that the children are compelled to attend school in the country districts to the prejudice of their physical welfare?
§ MR. RUNCIMANI daresay that is so, but this is hardly relevant.
§ MR. MONTAGUBut would not it be relevant to an inquiry into facilities for half-timers?
§ MR. RUNCIMANI have no doubt the whole question will be fully inquired into.