§ 28. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE (for Sir PHILIP RICHARDSON)asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will take steps to establish St. George's Day as a general school holiday, in view of the fact that Scotland, Ireland and Wales each specially celebrate their national festivals; and whether he will recommend that the day prior to St. George's Day be devoted to teaching the principal events in English history?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Lord Eustace Percy)Both these suggestions relate to matters which are within the discretion of the school and local education authorities, and I doubt if my intervention would serve any useful purpose.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the Noble Lord make representations to education authorities suggesting that this ought to be kept as a national holiday?
§ Lord E. PERCYI doubt very much whether it would be right for the central Government to start recommending what should be national holidays. It is a fashion that might spread in an inconvenient way.
§ Mr. HANNONThat is very clever of the Noble Lord. Is he aware that in some of the Dominions overseas it has been the custom for a long period of time to have a school holiday on this day?
§ Lord E. PERCYI am aware of that fact.
§ Mr. COUPERIs the Noble Lord not aware that there is no general school holiday in Scotland on St. Andrew's day?