§ 34. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that James Hunter Blair, of Savoy House, Ayr, who believes that six to seven years of age is the proper age to begin educating his son, and whose opinion is confirmed by the highest medical evidence, has been summoned by the Ayr Educational Management Committee for refraining from sending his son to a day school when he has reached five years of age; and will he take steps to have these proceedings stopped and, if need be, the law altered so as to prevent such interference with the rights of parents to do their best for their own children?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have no information beyond that conveyed in the first part of the question. As to the second part, the existing statutes give me no power of intervention. I see no reason for proposing an alteration in the law as to school attendance.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the father of this boy is an undergraduate of both Oxford and Cambridge, and as he has the views mentioned in the question, is it not absurd that he should be compelled—