§ 72. Sir W. SUGDENasked the President of the Board of Education if he will consult with trade unions and employers' federations as to the future of works continuation schools of certain industrial firms and companies where the trade and business has been, during the last two years, unprofitable and now such schools are in danger of being closed; and whether he will suggest to the Treasury certain Income Tax rebates to the firms in the event of such schools continuing and the business being either unprofitable or only slightly remunerative?
§ Lord E. PERCYI shall always be ready to consider any representations that may be made to me, but I may remind my hon. Friend that most of the continuation schools conducted under arrangements with particular firms are wholly or partly maintained by local education authorities. I appreciate the value of the work done in them, but I am not sure I understand the suggestion made in the last part of the question.
§ Sir W. SUGDENCannot the noble Lord make arrangements with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that where industrial firms, although working at a loss, are yet public-spiritedly helping on this adult education work, some consideration shall be given to them in respect of national taxation?
§ Lord E. PERCYPerhaps my hon. Friend will confer with me as to the precise nature of the relaxation desired.