§ 67. Mr. P. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider introducing a short Bill amending the Education Act, 1918, to enable the continuance of visits of school children to Shakespeare performances as part of the education syllabus?
§ Mr. TREVELYANThere is no occasion for legislation. In the case of Rex v. Lyon it was held that the Code of Regulations for Public Elementary Schools did not authorise the hire of a theatre for the purpose of representing stage plays to children attending public elementary schools. Since then the Code has been altered so as to enable occasional visits to theatrical performances during school hours to be treated as attendances at a public elementary school.
§ Mr. HARRISAre we to understand that educational authorities can safely take children to such places without fear of surcharge?
§ Mr. TREVELYANYes, Sir. The point is that they are not allowed to hire a theatre for that purpose, but they may take children as part of the school course.