HC Deb 10 February 1915 vol 69 c559
36. Mr. MOUNT

asked the President of the Board of Education whether arrangements can be made so that the Capitation Grant shall still be paid during the continuance of the War in those cases in which certificates are forthcoming that the boy is not less that twelve years of age and has been withdrawn from school for work on a farm under reasonable restrictions?

Mr. PEASE

I think it would be very undesirable to treat a boy who is absent from school because he is employed in farm work as if he were present in school, and any attempt to pay Grant in respect of absent boys would, in my opinion, give rise to difficulties and possible abuses which would far outweigh the small advantage to the ratepayers which the hon. Member's proposal aims at securing.

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the question of evening schools for these boys?

Mr. PEASE

I think it is very undesirable to establish evening schools for boys who have been hard at work during the whole day. I think the advantage to the boys would be insignificant as compared with the detriment that would be caused to them.

Mr. KING

In view of the fanners profiting by the labour of these children from school, ought not the farmers to make good the loss to the rates thus caused?