24. Mr. ROBINSONasked the President of the Board of Education whether any of the authorities controlling primary education in this country have submitted proposals to raise the leaving age to 15; and whether he will represent to such authorities as provide technical education for young people between the ages of 14 and 16 that sessions shall be held morning and afternoon so that a child in receipt of pension, or eligible for pension, if remaining full time at school, under The Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, may continue to draw a pension until the age of 16?
§ Lord E. PERCYFour local authorities have by local bye-law raised the age of compulsory school attendance in their areas to 15; no further proposals for doing so are at present before the Board. As regards the second part of the question, there seems to be no need to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion as it is the duty of local authorities under the provisions of the Education Act, to provide courses of advanced instruction in public elementary schools for children who stay at such schools beyond the age of 14, and the Board have for the last three years continually advised authorities to discharge this duty by providing central schools.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDWill the Minister be kind enough to name the four authorities and state whether any of them have granted maintenance allowances?
§ Lord E. PERCYThe four authorities are Carnarvonshire, East Suffolk, Ply mouth and Cornwall. As to maintenance 687 allowances, I know that Carnarvonshire grants maintenance allowances but I have no information as to the others at present.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDDoes Carnarvonshire grant maintenance allowances in all cases or only in special cases?
§ Lord E. PERCYIf the hon. Member wants details, I must ask for notice.
§ Mr. DALTONHave any local authorities which submitted proposals now withdrawn them as a result of discouragement from the Ministry?
§ Lord E. PERCYNo, Sir, not recently. In 1924, two authorities within my recollection submitted proposals which were refused—one by my predecessor and the other by myself.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDWill the Noble Lord urge other authorities to do the same as Carnarvonshire and the other three authorities?