HC Deb 02 May 1940 vol 360 cc885-7
42. Miss Ward

asked the President of the Board of Education what response local education authorities have made to Circular 1486 on the service of youth?

Mr. Lindsay

The response of local education authorities has been very encouraging, more especially in view of the extra calls made upon them by war-time conditions. Of the 146 authorities for higher education 128 have prepared schemes for youth committees, 13 have schemes under consideration, and only five have intimated their intention to defer action in the matter. The Department is in negotiation with these five

Mr. Sorensen

Do these figures and the information refer to the Question I put down three or four weeks ago?

Mr. Lindsay

They refer precisely to that Question.

Following is the answer:

authorities. The schemes submitted show a genuine co-operation between statutory and voluntary bodies.

Sir Percy Harris

How many authorities have schemes actually working?

Mr. Lindsay

I have information on this point and, if my hon. Friend wishes, I could give him more details but there are various degrees of progress and therefore I have put the information in this simpler form.

Mr. Lipson

Could my hon. Friend give the names of the five authorities who refused to take action?

Mr. Lindsay

I could give them to my hon. Friend, but I am hoping that without giving such publicity we shall be able to secure action within the next few weeks.

Sir F. Fremantle

Is not Hertfordshire one of the best of all authorities?

Mr. Lindsay

It is a very good authority.