HC Deb 27 March 1947 vol 435 cc1381-2
29. Sir G. Jeffreys

asked the Minister of Education whether, having regard to the present inadequacy of school buildings and shortage of teaching staffs, and to the urgent need of recruits for industry, he will consider the possibility of permitting children who, at 1st April, 1947, will be more than 14 years of age to leave school if their parents so desire; and whether he will permit this concession to remain in force until such time as more buildings and more teachers become available and the need of industry for recruits is less urgent.

Mr. Tomlinson

This would involve an alteration of the existing law and I do not propose to make any such change.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Ought not the parents to have some say in a matter of this kind? What benefit will accrue to children who are attending overtime in overcrowded and understaffed schools?

Mr. Tomlinson

I do not think that assumption will be borne out. In any case, parents' rights have always been restricted with regard to the age at which children should leave school