HC Deb 16 July 1943 vol 391 cc539-41
The President of the Board of Education (Mr. Butler)

I will, with the permission of the House, make a short statement on the Government's proposals for educational reform.

Hon. Members will be aware that conversations covering the whole field of education have been proceeding during the last two years with representatives of the local education authorities, of the teaching profession, of the Churches and of other interests. I am glad to acknowledge the great help which I have derived from these discussions—discussions which have disclosed a strong general desire for the improvement of our education and a wide measure of agreement on the lines upon which it should be reformed. The time has now come for the Government to take the responsibility of placing their proposals before the House, and a White Paper will be available in the Vote Office before the House rises to-day.

Hon. Members will appreciate, when they have had an opportunity of reading this Paper, that the Government have in mind a comprehensive reform of the system of public education in all its aspects. It is their desire that ample opportunity should be given for consideration of the plan as set out in the Paper, before the stage of legislation is reached. The different aspects of the scheme touch upon many sides of our national life, and it is desirable that matters which affect the future well-being of the younger generation should be considered by the House and by the country as questions for which the whole nation nation accepts responsibility.

There is no need to emphasise the magnitude of the issues involved in a complete re-casting of the educational machinery; in planning a progressive lengthening of school life for all children; in seeking a solution of the long-standing problem of the voluntary schools; in ensuring an enduring place for religious teaching in our schools; in introducing a scheme for the physical and mental well-being of the adolescent; and in adapting the system of local administration to the new design. On these and on other matters hon. Members will desire to ponder, and I do not doubt that the same tolerance and desire for accommodation, which have characterised the discussions to which I have referred, will now inform the public examination of the plan.

Differences of view on particular features of the plan may well emerge, and these can be considered on their merits, and in relation to the plan as a whole. At the same time the House will, I feel sure, agree that every effort should be made to subordinate personal or sectional prejudices and predilections to the interests of the children.

It is in the belief that their proposals will enable our younger generation to avail themselves of the opportunities which are being won for them by the gallantry and self-sacrifice of our Fighting Forces, that the Government commend this Paper to the House.

Mr. Lawson

In view of the very important nature of this announcement and of the White Paper which is coming, may I ask the Leader of the House whether there will be an opportunity of debating the proposals of the White Paper?

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)

Yes, Sir. What we had in mind was that hon. Members would like a little time to study these important and far-reaching proposals and that when they have had time to do so, perhaps a fortnight, according to what the House feels, an opportunity might then be given for a general discussion of the proposals in the White Paper, but I must emphasise, of course, that that discussion would not bind the House in relation to the Bill which will be necessary and which will be introduced in the autumn in all probability.

Mr. Tinker

In the statement which the Minister has made, he mentioned that he had met various bodies in order to consult them and consider the proposals, and I would ask him whether he got a fair measure of agreement after meeting them.

Mr. Butler

I would like to phrase it like this, that there is a wider measure of agreement than has ever been obtained before, and I think that that is so far very satisfactory.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the Leader of the House give the House an assurance that when the Debate on the White Paper takes place it will not be confined to one day but, if necessary, there should be two or more days?

Mr. Eden

It is rather difficult to give an answer to that question at the present time, but my hon. Friend may be assured that I am fully conscious of the importance of these proposals.

Mr. Rhys Davies

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is the intention of the Government in this very important matter to sound the views of the House of Commons in the promised Debate on the proposals, so that the Bill will contain the general consensus of opinion in the House, or whether the provisions of the Bill are already drafted before the House of Commons can give its opinion on this important scheme?

Mr. Eden

No, Sir, what my right hon. Friend has in mind is that there should be a discussion by the House on the proposals in the White Paper. It would not be true to say that the legislation is already in draft.

Mr. Thorne

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any provisions are made in the White Paper for a larger number of free places in the secondary schools?

Mr. Butler

The hon. Member will see, when he reads the White Paper, that that is a prominent feature of the scheme.