HC Deb 28 June 1934 vol 291 c1290
18. Major OWEN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many local education authorities have submitted schemes for the raising of the school-leaving age to 15; whether any of these schemes have been sanctioned by his Department; and, if so, how many?

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

Five local education authorities had already made by-laws before 1931 requiring attendance at school up to the age of 15. Since then, application for such a by-law has been made by 10 authorities. Of these, one has been allowed, two have been refused, and the remainder are under consideration.

Major OWEN

May I ask what were the grounds for the refusal?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

Partly because the educational arrangements were not satisfactory and partly because the areas were not sufficiently self-contained to prevent difficulties of employment arising with neighbouring areas.