HC Deb 10 February 1930 vol 235 cc36-7
77. Sir K. WOOD

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received a copy of the recent resolution passed by the London County Council with reference to the raising of the school age and of their opinion that it could not he raised effectively in London by the date proposed; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Sir Charles Trevelyan)

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to, but I am not aware of any reason why the London County Council should not he as capable as other local education authorities of making adequate preparations for the raising of the school age by the date proposed in the School Attendance Bill.

Sir K. WOOD

Does the right hon. Gentleman not regard the position of the London County Council in this matter as important? Does he not place some value upon their opinion, and is he not going to take some steps?

Sir C. TREVELYAN

Naturally, I am interested in what the London County Council have done, but I would reassure the House on the matter, that it will not be so difficult for London to catch up at short notice when they become convinced that we mean to carry out our intention, because it is calculated that only 5,000 permanent additional places will be needed.

Lord E. PERCY

Is the Minister not aware that there is not a single big city in this country which even pretends to be able to provide the necessary accommodation by 1931?

Sir C. TREVELYAN

There are plenty of great cities that are working hard at it.

Lord E. PERCY

Will the right hon. Gentleman name to me a city that has assured him that it will be able to supply the necessary accommodation by April, 1931?

Sir C. TREVELYAN

The assurance that I have got is that a large number of cities are working hard at it.

Mr. MALONE

Is it not a fact that the attitude of the London County Council will be changed after the next London County Council election?