§ 42. Dr. HASTINGSasked the President of the Board of Education if local education authorities are in the habit of conferring with teachers and parents when devising schemes of reorganisation designed to give effect to the recommendations of the Hadow Report and to prepare for the raising of the school-leaving age?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANI think local education authorities generally realise the importance of conferring with teachers and parents about such schemes. The Board, in Pamphlet No. 60, entitled "The New Prospect in Education," have emphasised that no scheme is likely to be successful unless the co-operation of teachers and parents is secured, and they have used their influence to that end. In case there should be any doubt about my attitude in the matter, I should like to say that I sincerely hope that in dividual local education authorities will realise the importance of such consultation and will do their best to secure the active support of teachers and parents for their schemes.
§ 51. Mr. BEAUMONTasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the reorganisation under the Hadow Report has been considerably delayed by uncertainly among local authorities as to the terms of the new Education Bill; and whether he can do anything to allay such uncertainty?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANI am not aware that reorganisation schemes have been delayed for the reason mentioned by the hon. Member, and I do not see why there should be any uncertainty in regard to the Government's intentions seeing that they have given a definite pledge that the Bill for the raising of the school-leaving 1233 age will be submitted to Parliament in time for the scheme to come into operation on the 1st April, 1931.
§ Mr. BEAUMONTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are various interpretations of the two words "in time," and that there is considerable uncertainty; and, if a proof of that uncertainty be brought to his notice, will he consider alleviating the anxiety of the local education authorities?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANCertainly, if there be any proof of it.
§ Mr. SKELTONrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe right hon. Gentleman does not seem inclined to answer.