HC Deb 27 June 1934 vol 291 cc1118-9
24. Mr. MARTIN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will recommend the Durham county education committee to modify their decision to forbid elementary school children in the county to attend the Northern Command Tattoo at Ravens-worth Castle, in view of the fact that the commanding officer has offered to make arrangements for the children to attend an afternoon dress rehearsal free of cost?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)

The question of attendance of public elementary school children at displays of this sort during school hours is a matter for the discretion of the local education authority, and my Noble Friend sees no reason to intervene in the present instance.

Mr. MARTIN

Does the hon. Gentleman not think that it is undesirable that a local authority should issue threats to those parents who take their children away of their own accord to these displays?