§ 11. Viscount SANDONasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a circular inviting the closing of State elementary schools on the occasion of a co-operative society's gala has been issued by the Staffordshire education authority; and whether he will prohibit the closing of schools for such purposes?
§ Lord E. PERCYMy attention has been called to this matter. The closure of schools on particular days is within the discretion of the local authority and school managers, and is not a matter in which the Board intervene.
§ Viscount SANDONIs it not contrary to high policy that factional bodies of this or any sort should be recognised by the State?
§ Lord E. PERCYI do not see anything contrary to high policy or any other policy. I do not see why a gala organised by a co-operative society should be excluded from the discretion of the authority any more than a gala organised by any other society.
§ Viscount SANDONWell, I do.
§ Mr. RILEYIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in many of these towns the members of the co-operative society include half the population, and that this meets the convenience of that population?
§ Mr. PALINGWould not this holiday be included in the schedule of holidays for organised societies?
§ Lord E. PERCYThere is no schedule of organised societies.
§ Mr. PALINGIs it not a fact that they are allowed a certain number of holidays in each year and that local authorities have to work within that schedule?
§ Lord E. PERCYNo.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDAs this was an important event in young children's lives, should they not have been allowed to attend such a gala?