HC Deb 24 October 1946 vol 428 c17
25. Mr. E. P. Smith

asked the Minister of Education whether, in relation to the memorandum forwarded to her recently by the hon. Member for Ashford regarding Cranbrook School, she will give the assurance of a definite date as from when she will operate a system providing that freedom to parents to select a school for their children which, as in the case of the school mentioned, is denied to parents in many counties.

The Minister of Education (Miss Ellen Wilkinson)

I cannot commit myself to a definite date by which the fullest use will be made by local education authorities generally of existing boarding facilities at Cranbrook or other schools, but when the Committee on Boarding Education is in full operation the present difficulties should be resolved.

Mr. Smith

Is the right hon. Lady aware that her Ministry has laid it down that no non-Kent boy may be admitted to Cranbrook unless the parents can produce a voucher from their own local education authority agreeing to pay Kent the tuition fees charged under Section 106 of the Education Act; and that that spells ruination to what is primarily a boarding school?

Miss Wilkinson

I am aware of all the difficulties and have referred the whole question to the new committee whose names I propose to announce very shortly.