§ 21. Mr. WESTWOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that a petition was signed over six years ago by parents in the parish of Broughton, Peeblesshire, appealing to the Peeblesshire education authority to give them a school within the three miles limit for children in the district; that so far nothing has been done; that children are being allowed to leave school at 13 years of age in Peeblesshire where they are outside the three miles limit from the nearest school; that nothing is being done to provide reasonable opportunities for education in several instances in the foregoing district; and what action, if any, is he prepared to take, with a view to the Education Acts being carried out by the Peeblesshire education authority?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question on the 1st instant. The education authority now inform me that following upon the petition referred to, a survey of educational requirements for the whole area was made and one new school was built. The authority were not satisfied, however, that the circumstances justified providing a school for the petitioners. They affirm that they do everything in their power to discourage children leaving school before the leaving age, and repeat that all applications made to them for travelling facilities have been granted. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the specific cases he has in mind, I shall be glad to consider what further action can he taken.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Peebles Education Authority furnished him with wrong information on the last occasion, hence the necessity for putting this question? I will give the right hon. Gentleman the information.