HC Deb 02 November 1939 vol 352 c2102
60. Mr. McEntee

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that parents of children of school-age now in the Greater London area are, in many cases, paying small weekly fees to provide some form of education for their children and that halls and private rooms are being hired by them for that purpose; and will he take steps to see that facilities for the education of these children are provided by local education authorities?

Mr. Lindsay

I am aware of the fact that children are now attending private schools in Greater London. Facilities for the education of these children in public elementary schools will be made available in accordance with the decision which I announced in the House yesterday allowing the reopening of such schools for instruction.

Mr. McEntee

May I take it that the reopening of the schools will apply to school children of all ages; and is the hon. Gentleman aware that the reference in the question is not to what are ordinarily termed private schools but to makeshift schools in all kinds of buildings, many of which are quite unsuitable?

Mr. Lindsay

I am aware of that.