HC Deb 07 February 1940 vol 357 cc219-21
Mr. Lees-Smith

(by Private Notice):asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he has any statement to make on the subject of compulsory education in evacuation areas?

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

The Board are to-day notify- ing local education authorities that the law of school attendance must again be enforced in evacuation areas directly sufficient school accommodation, whether on full-time or half-time basis, is available. The fact that authorities may not be able at once to provide school accommodation for children of all ages should not prevent the application of the law of school attendance to those age groups for which there is accommodation. The date at which it will be found possible to re-introduce compulsory attendance must necessarily vary as between one authority and another, but this step must be taken directly conditions make it possible, and in any case not later than the beginning of next term.

A circular on this matter is being sent to local education authorities to-day. Further, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Home Security, in agreement with the Minister of Health, is to-day communicating with local authorities for Civil Defence with a view to the return to educational use of school premises diverted to Civil Defence purposes.

It is the Government's policy that no obstacle should be allowed to prevent the restoration of full-time education at the earliest possible date.

Mr. Lees-Smith

Can the hon. Member, from his negotiations with these other Departments, give any time when he expects that full-time education will be restored?

Mr. Lindsay

I would rather not give a date for the restoration of full-time education. But I did give a date for compulsory school attendance—the be-ginning of next term. I hope that, with the concessions which are being made, it will be possible to restore full-time education in the evacuation areas during next term.

Sir P. Harris

Will the hon. Member make it quite clear to local authorities that they must make provision for infants and junior classes, just as much as for senior classes? At present, I understand, no provision is being made for either infants or junior children.

Mr. Lindsay

I meant the terms "full-time education" and "compulsory education" to apply to children between five and fourteen.

Mr. Westwood

Is the House to understand that similar action is being taken by the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Scottish Education Department?

Mr. Lindsay

I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is sending out a parallel circular in Scotland.

Mr. Thorne

Will the hon. Member insist on air-raid shelters being erected in these schools before the children go back?

Mr. Lindsay

Protection will be made available in every school.

Mr. Burke

If there is not room immediately for the whole school population, is the hon. Member making any suggestions as to the age groups which will have priority?

Mr. Lindsay

That is a matter for the local education authorities. If at the moment any authority can enforce the law in regard to school attendance for those under 11 they may do so tomorrow.

Sir A. Knox

Is my hon. Friend taking any steps in the reception areas to provide education? Does he know that there are several areas where the local children are deprived of the use of their schools for half the day by evacuees?

Mr. Lindsay

I know that in some reception areas there is half-time education going on. The position represents a great advance on anything in the evacuation areas at the moment; and I am not aware that any local children have been deprived of part-time education in the reception areas.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Will the 600 or more members of the hon. Gentleman's Department who have been seconded to other Departments now come back to the Board of Education, including the medical officers?

Mr. Lindsay

That is a very interesting question, but I cannot answer it on this.

Mr. Tomlinson

Is it the intention to give parents another opportunity of evacuating their children before this compulsory attendance is enforced?