§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- 1952 ment a question, of the gist of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether he is aware that twenty-eight parents of children belonging to the Dowlais Roman Catholic school have been fined or imprisoned for not sending their children to school; and whether, as the Board of Education has now agreed to hold an inquiry into the causes of the dispute between the local education authority and the parents, he will consider whether he can advise that all proceedings against the parents be suspended, and those now in prison be released, pending the result of the proposed inquiry?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe hon Gentleman only gave me notice of this question shortly before three o'clock. I have had to be in my place here since, and I have had no opportunity of making the inquiry which I shall have to make before I can reply to his question.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEAs the matter is one of considerable urgency, I shall repeat the question to-morrow, unless there is an opportunity this evening on the Motion for Adjournment, when I shall raise it.