§ 37. Mr. A. R. KENNEDYasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps to relax the policy of not permitting children, although they have reached the age of 14 years, to leave school until the end of a school term in those cases in which apprenticeship vacancies or other good opportunities of employment, which may not readily recur, have been found for them?
§ Lord E. PERCYThis matter is not one of administrative policy, but of statutory requirement. The relevant provisions of the Act of 1921 are Section 138 (1) and Sections 42-45.
§ Mr. WADDINGTONIs the Noble Lord aware that the difficulty which exists in industrial areas is that of boys or girls getting employment when they all leave at one definite period, as against the old system of leaving at the age of 14?
Mr. SANDEMAN ALLENIs the Noble Lord aware that these 'children spend the intervening period in running errands for teachers, cleaning slates and inkpots, and so on?
§ Lord E. PERCYWith regard to the first supplementary question, I am aware that in many areas difficulty arises from that cause. The matter has been discussed by the Association of Education Authorities, and perhaps my hon. Friend would look at the Report of that discussion. As to the second supplementary question, I am not aware of the facts stated, but if my hon. Friend can give me information as to schools where that is the case, I shall be glad to go into the matter.