HC Deb 16 March 1950 vol 472 cc1230-1
12. Mr. Hugh Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in spite of his Ministerial Circular 17/1949 local welfare authorities are still wasting time and money carrying out annual inspections of independent schools which have o already received an efficiency certificate from His Majesty's Inspectors of Schools; and what further action he proposes to take.

Mr. Ede

I am aware of two or three local authorities who do not act upon my suggestion in the circular referred to, that the recognition of an independent school by the Ministry of Education as efficient might properly be regarded as a ground for exempting that school from the provisions of Part VII of the Public Health Act, 1936, as extended by Part V of the Children Act, 1948. While I think that duplication of visits should whenever possible be avoided, I cannot require local authorities to grant exemptions.

Mr. Fraser

But could the right hon. Gentleman perhaps point out to the local authorities concerned, who seem to be only three or four in number, that this is a waste of time and money?

Mr. Ede

I had hoped that my previous circular had done so, but I hope that the additional publicity given by the hon. Gentleman's Question will again draw their attention to this matter.