§ 1. Mrs. Hardieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department is taking any action to have full-time education provided for the 10,787 children in Scotland who are receiving only part-time education?
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. Johnston)The answer is in the affirmative. There was a decrease of 3,875 in the figures during the quarter ending September, 1943. Constant efforts are 1058 being made to secure the release of schools whose occupation is causing half-time instruction, and alternative accommodation is being provided in certain cases where the prospect of release is remote.
§ Mrs. HardieDoes not my right hon. Friend think that more pressure ought to be put upon these bodies to vacate schools so that children can receive full-time education? These children are suffering serious handicaps. Some buildings are being used for Home Guard training, and does not my right hon. Friend think that it is more important that children should be educated than that their grandfathers should become Boy Scouts?
§ Mr. JohnstonI can assure my hon. Friend that constant and unremitting pressure is being put upon the authorities who are in occupancy of these schools, in the interests of the education of children. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind where she thinks we might assist her further, then I should be greatly obliged to hear of it.
§ Mr. Kenneth LindsayCould the Minister say for what purpose these schools are now being used? Is it for A.R.P. or for military purposes?
§ Mr. JohnstonMostly by the Service authorities.