§ 25. Mr. G. WHITEasked the President of the Board of Education if he has received any communication from local education authorities in opposition to the proposal to raise the school-leaving age?
§ 27. Mr. NICHOLasked the President of the Board of Education how many local authorities propose to exercise the powers of raising the school-leaving age to 15 years; and which authorities have so decided to act?
§ Mr. TREVELYANThe Board have not received any communication from local education authorities in opposition to the proposal to raise the school-leaving age. They have now before them two specific proposals for the approval of bye-laws for raising the age to 15, namely, from the County Borough of Bath and the Education Committee of East Suffolk. These are now under consideration. Several other authorities are considering whether it is desirable or practicable to submit a bye-law for the purpose.
§ Mr. NICHOLIn view of the complete cutting out of any provision for children between 14 and 16 under the Insurance Acts, is the right hon. Gentleman now prepared to take steps to have the age limit raised?
§ Mr. AYLESIf the age limit were raised to 15, would not that solve the problem of unemployment of children up to 16?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODHas the Minister made any provision for these boys and girls who are to be kept at school until they are 15 years of age, so that they may receive wages, as if they were in employment. We promised when we were standing for Parliament that we would see that these children were paid as much wages for going to school up to 15 as if they were working, and is the Minister providing for that payment?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am afraid the Minister cannot always read the hon. Member's speeches at election time.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODMay I just point out——
§ Mr. SPEAKERI would ask the hon. Member not to make speeches, but to ask questions.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWell, I wish to point out——
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must not take up too much time, and must put his question through me to the Minister.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIf I get a chance I will put my question, but I am not getting a chance. [HON. MEMBERS:"Order!"] I want to ask the Minister if what I put to my constituents was not the same as the Labour party put in their election address, and is he prepared to implement the promises that were made to our people that their children were to receive as much wages for going to school as if they were working in the workshops?
§ Mr. FERGUSONMr. Speaker, I have not had a chance. I want to know if the right hon. Gentleman is in favour of them going to school until they are married and then giving them pensions after that?
§ Mr. TREVELYANI do not know what the law is in Scotland, but I have pointed out that in England local authorities have power to give maintenance grants if they wish. With regard to the larger question, I do not think it can be discussed in questions and answers.