HC Deb 14 July 1938 vol 338 cc1508-9
48. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the London County Council education committee has recently recommended the spread-over of school holidays and that they have this year relaxed their regulations respecting the attendance of scholars during the summer term in anticipation of a spread-over principle being adopted; whether he has any information respecting similar action by other education authorities; and whether he is considering issuing recommendations and/or calling a conference of education authorities to consider the question of spread-over holidays and problems arising therefrom?

49. Mr. Roland Robinson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the report of a sub-committee of the London County Council education committee recommending the spread-over of holidays; and what steps his Department is taking to co-ordinate the views of all parties concerned with the spread-over of school holidays?

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

I have seen the report on this matter of a sub-committee of the London County Council education committee. I have no information that any other education authority has considered the question. Meetings of representatives of the Board of Education, universities, local education authorities and teachers have already been held, and further meetings have been arranged, to consider the spread-over of school holidays and problems arising therefrom.

Mr. Sorensen

Can we take it that the hon. Gentleman will issue a report in due course and make it available to the House?

Mr. Lindsay

I would not like to commit myself. Discussions are going on between the various authorities.

Mr. R. Robinson

Will my hon. Friend consider schemes for the spread-over of holidays which are put forward by education authorities, and will he consult those engaged in the holiday industry to see how far these schemes are practicable?

Mr. Lindsay

At the present moment the Board is concerned with the relations between the secondary schools and the universities, and that is quite big enough a job at the moment.

Mr. Day

Does the Board favour the scheme?

51. Mr. R. Robinson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what progress has been made in his negotiations with the Secondary School Examinations Council and the universities, with a view to securing alterations in the dates of school and higher school certificate examinations, in order to facilitate the spread-over of holidays.

Mr. Lindsay

The Board have received from the Secondary School Examinations Council considered recommendations for an alteration in the dates of the examinations, should any change be found necessary in consequence of the report on Holidays with Pay. The Board are at present investigating the whole question and they have already had discussions with representatives of university bodies, local education authorities and teachers. It is not yet possible to say whether, as a result of these investigations, any change will be found desirable and, if so, what arrangements will be found most convenient.

Mr. Robinson

Can my hon. Friend say what other date is being considered by the examinations council for school examinations?

Mr. Lindsay

Recommendations have been made for a date towards the end of the autumn term.