HC Deb 15 December 1938 vol 342 cc2155-7
29. Mr. Wakefield

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is satisfied that proper instruction is being given to the children at Highworth, whose parents do not desire them to attend at the senior school at Stratton?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Kenneth Lindsay)

I understand that the local education authority is considering the question of the prosecution of the parents of the children who are attending the "private" school at Highworth on the ground that they are not causing the children to receive efficient elementary instruction. In these circumstances I do not think it would be proper for me to express an opinion on the matter.

30. Mr. Wakefield

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that on the decision being made to build a new senior school at Stratton in 1934 that Section 18 (1) of the Education Act, 1921, whereby public notice must be given to those concerned, was not complied with in respect of Highworth at that date; and what action does he propose to take?

Mr. Lindsay

The Board are satisfied that, at the date of the publication of Notices under Section 18 of the Education Act, 1921, in respect of the proposed senior council school at Stratton, the local education authority had no intention of making provision in that school for senior children from Highworth. The authority were, therefore, under no obligation to give public notice of their intention to build this senior school to ratepayers of High worth.

Mr. Wakefield

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary think that the building of a school greatly in excess of numbers, and to include children from other districts, against their parents' wishes, is contrary to the intention of the Act, and can he say what steps are being taken to prevent the Act being circumvented in other parts of the country in this way?

Mr. Lindsay

I am afraid that I cannot accept the premise of my hon. Friend's supplementary question. I may say that I intend to visit the area.

31. Mr. Wakefield

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the daily average number of pupils transported from Highworth to Stratton during the past 12 months and the cost per head for this period?

Mr. Lindsay

I am informed by the local education authority that the daily average number of pupils conveyed by bus from Highworth and district to the Upper Stratton senior school during the 12 months ended on 30th November was 10. The average cost for conveyance per pupil for the same period was £24 4s. The explanation of this obviously abnormal cost is fully given in a letter received from the local education authority, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Mr. Wakefield

Is not this cost the highest in the whole country?

Mr. Lindsay

I should be most surprised if it was not out of all proportion to any other cost. For that reason I have used the word "abnormal," and for that reason I am sending to my hon. Friend copy of a letter which will explain matters.