HC Deb 15 July 1948 vol 453 cc1373-4
4. Commander Noble

asked the Minister of Education whether he is satisfied with the working of the scheme to admit boys nominated by local authorities to public schools.

Mr. Tomlinson

It is too soon to assess the success of a scheme which is still in its early stages.

Commander Noble

Can the Minister say whether these nominations depend on the merits of the boys or whether hardship has to be proved?

Mr. Tomlinson

The various local authorities are making arrangements with regard to these transfers and those arrangements vary according to the authorities concerned. In some instances hardship is involved and in other cases it is not. Quite a number of varying reasons are given for the transfers.

Mr. Eric Fletcher

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how the numbers nominated by the local authorities compare with the places offered by the public schools?

Mr. Tomlinson

Yes, Sir. This year it would appear that out of some 580 places which have been offered, 155 have been taken up. In addition to that I ought to say that a number of local authorities are making their arrangements direct. The 155 are through the Ministry's Committee on Boarding Education.

Mr. Wilson Harris

Even making allowances for that, will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this is rather an unsatisfactory situation when there are schools which have offered places two years in succession and no boys have been provided by the Ministry or the local authorities?

Mr. Tomlinson

I would like to point out that before hon. Members come to the conclusion that this is unsatisfactory, they should remember that we are altering a principle which has been regarded as unsatisfactory in itself all the time it has been in existence.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The right hon. Gentleman has referred to the different criteria in respect to applicants, applied by different local authorities. Has he given them any guidance as to the correct attitude to adopt, in the view of his Department?

Mr. Tomlinson

We have attempted to guide them. I have sent out a circular, and I will send the hon. Member a copy.

Mrs. Manning

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that these results, which have now become patent to everybody, show how false were the conclusions arrived at by the Fleming Committee?

Mr. Gallacher

It is better than their having to go to school in bare feet.