HC Deb 01 July 1918 vol 107 cc1533-46

Again considered in Committee.

[Mr. WHITLEY in the Chair.]

Postponed Proceeding resumed on Amendment, at end of Clause 20, to add the words, Provided always that when a child is boarded out in pursuance of this Section the local education authority shall, if possible, and if the parent so request, arrange for the boarding-out being with a person belonging to the religious persuasion of the child's parent."—[Sir Mark Sykes.]

Question again proposed, "That those words be there added."

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

If the right hon. Gentleman looks closely at the words of this Amendment, which he has accepted at short notice, he will see that they carry a meaning which perhaps he did not realise at the moment. The Clause provides that certain children in exceptional circumstances shall go to a school where arrangements for boarding and feeding children is part of the plan. The Amendment assumes that the only boarding-out which occurs will take place with private families, and it is therefore in partial contradiction to the meaning of the Clause itself. I take it that the right hon. Gentleman does not wish, by accepting this Amendment, to deprive himself of the power of taking advantage either of hostels or schools with boarding-out arrangements. Has he considered that very important aspect of the Amendment which he has now accepted?

Mr. FISHER

I do not see the inconsistency which the hon. Member has brought to my notice. Under the operation of the Clause, the local education authority may make such arrangements either of a permanent or temporary character, including the provision of board and lodging, as they think best suited for the purpose of enabling these children to receive the benefit of efficient elementary education, and may for that purpose enter into such agreement with the parent of any such child as they think proper. Then the Amendment goes on to state, in effect, that the local education authority, in entering into such agreement with the parent, shall so far as possible pay attention to any desire which the parent may express with respect to the religious persuasion of the person with whom the child is boarded out. I see no inconsistency.

Amendment agreed to.

The CHAIRMAN

The Amendment—after the words last inserted, to add the words, If any Act is passed in this or any succeeding Parliament bringing to an end the functions of boards of guardians under the Poor Law, a local education authority may, with the approval of the Board of Education, accept and maintain any Poor Law school or other institution for children which may be transferred to it"— standing in the name of the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division (Mr. Anderson) is too hypothetical. With regard to the Amendment—after the words last inserted, to add the words, Provided that no parents may be compelled to send their children to schools established under this Section providing board and lodging"— standing in the name of the hon. Member for Mid-Lanarkshire (Mr. Whitehouse), it is quite unnecessary. There is no compulsion possible under this Clause.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

On a point of Order. I want to suggest, with great respect, that Clause 20 is not clear and that unless some modifying words are put in it is by no means certain that a parent could not be compelled, where other schools are not available, to send his children to a school contemplated under this Clause where a child would be boarded and fed. I suggest that that pont is not clear, and that it would be reasonable to discuss the question whether the assent of the parents should not be necessary before the child is taken away from the home to a boarding institution.

The CHAIRMAN

It seems to be a very remote possibility, but I will not stand in the hon. Member's way if he thinks it worth while to put the point.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

I beg to move, after the words last added, to add the words, Provided that no parents may be compelled to send their children to schools established under this Section providing board and lodging. I only move the Amendment in order to receive the assurance which I am sure the President will be able to give, that no young person shall be compelled to go to a boarding school if the parents do not wish it.

Mr. FISHER

I am perfectly willing to give the hon. Member that assurance. I am advised that the purpose of this Amendment is already secured in the Clause.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman, and ask leave to withdraw the Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The CHAIRMAN

The next Amendment standing in the name of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities (Sir H. Craik)—[At end of Clause to add the words "(2) The Elementary Education (Defective and Epileptic Children) Act is hereby amended so as to include physically defective children as well as those mentally defective"]—should come as a new Clause.

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

    cc1536-46
  1. CLAUSE 21.—(Power to Aid Research.) 4,165 words