HC Deb 06 March 1928 vol 161 cc231-2
78. Major M. WOOD

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether there are any education authorities in Scotland who have not carried out their obligations under Section 6 (1) (a) of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, to provide free secondary schools; and, if so, whether he will give the names of the authorities concerned?

Captain ELLIOT

I would refer the hon. Member to the third paragraph of the Department's Circular No. 20, issued on 13th January, 1920, a copy of which I am sending him. So far the Department have not found it necessary to call upon any Authority in terms of the first sentence of the third paragraph thereof. If, however, the hon. Member has in his mind any case in which such action seems to him desirable, my Noble Friend will be glad to look into the matter, if the necessary information is furnished him.

Major WOOD

Cannot I have an explicit answer to a very straight question? Have any authorities not carried out the law laid down in the Statute?

Captain ELLIOT

No authority has defaulted so as to make it necessary for the Department to take action in the matter.

Major WOOD

Have they defaulted in any way?

Mr. NICHOL

Is it not the case that in Glasgow proposals have been put forward to charge fees in many secondary schools which were free up to the present year?

Captain ELLIOT

I must ask for notice.