§ 88. Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state the number of children of school age who have been withdrawn from school since the outbreak of War for the purpose of work in agriculture and other industries; and whether he will issue the reports he has received on the subject?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Pease)For the period 1st September, 1914, to 31st January, 1915, I may refer my hon. Friend to the White Paper recently issued [Cd. 7881]. I am now collecting figures from the county areas as regards agriculture for the further period up to the 30th April last.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEWhen does the right hon. Gentleman expect to have that information?
§ Sir RYLAND ADKINSWill those reports from the different counties show the regulations under which they are acting?
§ Mr. PEASEI do not want to trouble the local authorities who are overworked, as a very large number of their staff has joined the Colours, and at the present moment I do not think that I can supply the information for which my hon. Friend asks.
§ Sir R. ADKINSWill my hon. Friend ask each county authority to send in a copy of the regulations? That would involve no expenditure of time.
§ Mr. PEASEIt would involve a great deal of time on the part of my own staff. However, I can obtain those regulations and see what I can provide.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs the right hon. Gentleman collecting figures for the purpose of stopping this desirable development?