§ 37. Sir P. Harrisasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can give any estimate of the number of children of school age now in London; whether the number is increasing due to their return from the areas to which they have been evacuated; and whether he is proposing any form of propaganda both to persuade parents to keep their children in the country and, if still in London, to agree to their evacuation?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Kenneth Lindsay)I am not yet able to give an estimate of the number of children of school age now in London. I am aware that the number has been increasing owing to the return of evacuated children; on the other hand my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is arranging, as recently announced, for the evacuation of a further contingent of school children from London. The Board have issued a circular, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, emphasising the continued importance of the evacuation scheme and urging authorities, through their teachers and otherwise, to adopt every means in their power to discourage the return of evacuated children to their homes.
Vice-Admiral TaylorHaving regard to the national importance of the evacuation of children, could it not be made compulsory that they should remain where they are?
§ Mr. LindsayThat raises another question.
§ Mr. AttleeIs the Minister aware of the great anxiety of the parents whose children are now in London that provision should be made for education?
§ Mr. LindsayWe have issued a circular suggesting certain lines which can be adopted in the evacuated areas, and I am glad to say that London has already been adopting them.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsCan the Minister give any reason why children in London should not be educated?