§ 46. Mr. Stephen Swinglerasked the Prime Minister what instructions he has issued to the Ministers of Education and Labour regarding the pressure for juvenile labour created by the re-armament drive and the consequent danger of children leaving school before they have completed their education.
§ The Prime MinisterNone, Sir.
§ Mr. SwinglerWill the Prime Minister then issue a categorical instruction to the Minister of Education that she is not to lower the school-leaving age and issue instructions to ensure that the long-term educational interests of the children are not sacrificed to the monster of re-armament?
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to the answer I have already given.
§ Mr. Douglas JayCan the Prime Minister now give an assurance that while Parliament is in Recess the Government will take no step towards altering either the school entry, or the school-leaving age?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not at all prepared on supplementary questions at Question time to give assurances—[An HON. MEMBER: "Yes or no."]—statements, which cover wide ranges—
§ Mr. PeartIs the Prime Minister aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Education hedged on a very similar question last week and, in view of the anxiety in the country, will the Prime Minister give an assurance that no step will be taken which will frustrate the main principle of the Education Act, 1944.
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think it is the duty of Ministers when answering Questions to give general assurances about the whole future policy of the Government.
§ Mr. SpeakerHon. Members have had their answer. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] It may not be the answer they wanted, but it is an answer. Mr. Chapman.
§ Mr. SwinglerOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory reply of the Prime Minister I propose to attempt to raise this question on the Adjournment at an early opportunity.