§ 43. Mr. Stephenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the discontent in Glasgow, owing to the fact that there is no provision for the elementary education of children in the city; that one hour per week at school is of no practical educational importance; and whether he will consider reopening all the schools and keeping them in session until it is shown that danger is involved in such a step, as cinemas have now been reopened and children are no safer in such places than in the city's schools?
§ Mr. ColvilleI am aware that provision is not yet available for all the primary school children in Glasgow. I am informed, however, that 45,000 primary school children are at present attending school in Glasgow for about one-third of the normal school time and that an additional 8,000 are receiving group instruction. Shelter accommodation is being provided as rapidly as possible and further children will be admitted as soon as this is available. While I am not prepared to take the risk of authorising schools to reopen without some form of shelter accommodation, I have informed the Glasgow Education Authority that reopening need not be delayed until the whole of that accommodation is provided, so long as the number in attendance at any one time does not exceed the number for whom shelter is available.
§ Mr. StephenWould the right hon. Gentleman give us a list of the schools where these 45,000 children are obtaining their education, because I do not believe it?
§ Mr. ColvilleI have not a list of the schools. The information I have is from the local authority.
§ Mr. StephenI do not believe them.