HC Deb 15 November 1937 vol 329 cc31-2
57. Sir N. Grattan-Doyle

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the report of the school medical officer of health for Northampton that in one school only one towel is provided for the use of more than 200 children for a whole week; and whether any steps have been taken to improve the washing facilities in this case?

Mr. Lindsay

My Noble Friend's attention has been drawn to the report of the school medical officer for Northamptonshire for the year 1936, from which it is clear that the local education authority have been giving serious consideration to the general problem of the supply of towels, and are prepared to consider applications for the supply of a separate towel for each child. From inquiry it appears that the school to which my hon. Friend refers has not applied for such a supply, but that a clean roller towel is now supplied daily both in the boys' and in the girls' lavatory.

Mr. Logan

Would it be possible for an arrangement to be entered into whereby children could have the towels at home?

Mr. Lindsay

That would not be a matter for my Department.

Mr. Hannah

Could not we spare a good many towels from this House.