HC Deb 12 May 1938 vol 335 cc1710-2
61. Mr. Short

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether any recent decision has been taken by the Board against teaching swimming to boys and girls between eight and 11 years; and, if so, when was this decision communicated to education authorities?

62. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education on whose authority His Majesty's inspector threatened to withhold the Government grant to the county borough of Doncaster unless they discontinued swimming lessons during school hours to boys and girls between the ages of eight and 11 years; and, in view of the resentment expressed by many parents, will he reconsider the matter?

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

No new decision on this matter has been taken by the Board, but, as stated in their Syllabus of Physical Training for schools issued in 1933, they are of the opinion that where facilities for swimming are limited, as at Doncaster, preference should be given to children over 10 or 11 years of age. The arrangements at Doncaster were open to criticism on the grounds that after the age of nine only those children who had already learnt to swim were allowed to attend the baths in school hours, with the result that a large percentage of children in the senior schools were unable to swim; and the absence of groups of children from the classes, caused disorganisation in the schools. His Majesty's inspector pointed out that, for these reasons, the scheme was unsatisfactory, and stated that unless an amended scheme was submitted he would be unable to certify that the conditions of grant had been fulfilled. It has now been agreed that the limited facilities available for swimming instruction can best be used by sending all the first-year senior children instead of the first-year junior children.

Mr. Williams

Is the hon. Member aware that all the parents of children between eight and 11, who have been enjoying these facilities for the past two years, are very resentful at the decision of the inspector, or his Department? Will he have the matter reconsidered, in view of the general request made by the parents?

Mr. Lindsay

I am satisfied that the best result has been obtained. The fact is that there is a shortage of swimming accommodation. There are only two baths for 10,000 school children. Under the authority's scheme not one class attended as a whole, and this obviously disorganised the schools.

Mr. Williams

Is the hon. Member aware that the education committee are of opinion that if they are given power to do so they can reorganise the swimming lessons, so that all children between eight and 11, and onward, can have their swimming lessons in school hours; and is he aware that the parents much prefer that children between eight and 11 should secure swimming lessons under the guidance of their teachers? Will he allow reorganisation on those lines?

Mr. Lindsay

I will certainly look at the matter again, but it has been pretty well gone into. I think it is very much better that classes should not be disorganised, and that you should get the maximum number of swimmers, and not merely the experts.

Mr. Short

As this is a question of organisation, will the hon. Gentleman not instruct His Majesty's inspectors to go into the matter more fully, having regard to the resentment of the parents?

Mr. Lindsay

I will certainly go into it more fully, but the inspector has gone into it in very great detail.

63. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many county borough education committees allow boys and girls between eight and 11 years of age to have swimming instruction during the recognised school hours?

Mr. Lindsay

The Board have collected no statistics on this subject.

Mr. Williams

How can the Board reach decisions relating to swimming instruction if they know nothing about it?

Mr. Lindsay

We know a great deal about it. As a general rule, the younger a child learns to swim the better; but where it is going to disorganise the whole school it is not always possible to adhere to that rule.

Mr. McEntee

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some local authorities are, in fact, building children's swimming baths; and will he encourage other local authorities to do the same?