HC Deb 14 March 1940 vol 358 cc1346-7
27. Captain Ramsay

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what steps the Board has taken or intends to take to ensure that children, particularly those evacuated, are not given moral instruction contrary to the principles held by their parents; and whether the Board will cause disciplinary action to be taken against teachers who offend in this respect?

Mr. Lindsay

I have no grounds for thinking that any such instruction is given in schools under the Board's jurisdiction.

Captain Ramsay

May I ask my hon. Friend to answer my Question and say whether he proposes to give to parents of children who have been evacuated the right to see that they are educated according to their wishes?

Mr. Lindsay

I think I should read the answer again: I have no grounds for thinking that any-such instruction is given in schools under the Board's jurisdiction. I should add that if my hon. and gallant Friend has any specific cases to bring to my notice I shall be glad to look into them.

Captain Ramsay

As the position stands, what rights have the parents got to see that their children who are evacuated are taught according to their wishes? Have they any rights?

Mr. Lindsay

I shall be sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of my answer. This is a serious charge, and I think he ought to give me specific examples before I can possibly say more in answer to his Question.

Miss Rathbone

Is the Minister aware that while some evacuated children are, no doubt, subject to the influence of persons of Fascist opinions—[Interruption].

28. Captain Ramsay

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that a number of teachers with Marxist opinions are taking advantage of the evacuation scheme and the consequent separation of children from their parents to inculcate principles contrary to Christian teaching and morality and to endeavour to destroy all respect the children have for their parents according to the tenets of Marxism; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this?

Mr. Lindsay

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative; the second part does not therefore arise. Any specific case which my hon. and gallant Friend can adduce will, of course, be investigated.

Captain Ramsay

In view of the fact that a responsible organisation is prepared to give him details of complaints in five different counties, will my hon. Friend undertake to look into them and, if he finds the complaints are substantiated, see that the wishes of the parents are respected and that the children are protected from such teaching, whether it be Fascist or Marxist?

Mr. Lindsay

Certainly, Sir. We are against any doctrinaire teaching in schools. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me any specific cases, they will be investigated.

Mr. Shinwell

Has the hon. Member any reason to believe that the hon. and gallant Member who asks the Question is associated with any responsible organisation?