31. Mr. PRICEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that no employment is available for large num- 483 bers of the 450,000 boys and girls that leave school annually, it is proposed to take steps to raise the school-leaving age?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMThe answer is in the negative.
Viscountess ASTORWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that yesterday the Chancellor of the Exchequer said the Government would consider any plans of a revenue-producing character, and does he not think that he can persuade the right hon. Gentleman that to keep at school at the most critical time of their lives juveniles who would otherwise be totally unemployed, is of a revenue-producing nature and is of vast importance to the future of the country?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMThat raises a dumber of other questions. I can only deal with the question on the Paper, and the answer is "No."
§ Sir P. HARRISWill the hon. Gentleman consider endeavouring to persuade local authorities to induce parents, especially in necessitous areas, to keep their children voluntarily at school after the school-leaving age?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMWhere suitable courses and adequate accommodation are available, the Board raises no objection to voluntary retention of children at school.
§ Sir P. HARRISThe Board cannot take objection, can it?