§ 29. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Argyll Education Authority, passed by 17 votes in favour to 5 votes against, at a meeting held in Glasgow on the 26th March, protesting against the proposal to raise the compulsory age for school children to 15; and whether he will take steps to give effect to this resolution in the County of Argyll and in any event refrain from proceeding to raise the age until the views of the parents have been ascertained by a postal plebiscite?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Johnston)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second and third parts in the negative. I would, however, remind the hon. and learned Member that when compulsory education was instituted protests from certain backward bodies were received. Fortunately, however, in the interests of the nation, these protests were overruled.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENDoes the hon. Gentleman not realise the right of parents to protest against the conscription of their children for this very foolish extension of a very inferior type of education; and is it not the case that the parents consider that the children would be much better educated by being out in the open country of Argyll?
32. Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received resolutions against the raising of the school-leaving age in 1931 passed by the education authorities of Perthshire and Argyllshire; what other authorities, if any, have published resolutions unfavourable to the Government proposals on this subject; and how many have indicated that they expect to have the necessary arrangements made by the date proposed by the Government?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend has also received similar resolutions from Peebles-shire and Kincardine Education Authorities. On the other hand, he has received representations from a large number of bodies interested in education in favour of the proposed change. None of the education authorities have suggested to 2708 the Department that they will be unable to make adequate arrangements by the date proposed.
Duchess of ATHOLLWill the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question? How many authorities have indicated that they expect to be able to make arrangements within the time fixed?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONNo authority has so far indicated to us that they will be unable to make adequate arrangements.