31. Sir J. D. REESasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of prevailing 2370 high prices, heavy taxation, and general financial stress, the Government will postpone the operation of the Education Act, and more particularly of the Clauses which will render it impossible for the poor to profit any longer by the help afforded by their own children?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI believe that the representations which my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Education, has received have been in the favour of bringing all the Sections of the Act which affect the employment of children into operation as soon as possible. Those sections were very carefully considered by the House, and I see no reason to draw back from the policy which Parliament deliberately adopted. The future of this country depends largely on its children receiving the same thorough training as is accorded to the children of Germany, France, and America, and our own Dominions.
Sir J. D. REESHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the long blue paper of instructions which has been delivered in poor homes and has caused the utmost consternation by its intimation that they will be deprived of the income produced by the services of their elder children?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that what the children of the country want is education and not training to become machine tools?