HC Deb 26 June 1952 vol 502 cc2415-6
14. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Education the names of the local authorities who have decided to abolish instruction in swimming or to cut it down in the coming year.

Miss Horsbrugh

I have no comprehensive information on this matter.

Mr. Morley

Is the Minister aware that Warwickshire and Dorset have completely abolished swimming instruction and that the wealthy borough of Bournemouth has cut it down by 50 per cent.? Would she not agree that physical training is part of the essential fabric of education and that swimming instruction is an essential part of physical training? Will she rebuke and restrain these naughty authorities for cutting their instruction in swimming?

Miss Horsbrugh

I do not think it is for me to rebuke or to restrain. The authority is given the power to make these arrangements. That authority, as the hon. Member knows, is the authority that decides the curriculum. I do not think it is for me to interfere in everything that the authority does or to rebuke and restrain.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Is the right hon. Lady aware that this anti-swimming policy in which she persists is damaging, not only to the large number of qualified teachers of swimming, but also to the children? Will she therefore, in the public interest, reverse this policy?

Miss Horsbrugh

This is not my policy. Under local government arrangements, it is left to the local education authorities to decide.

Mr. Chapman

But the Minister has to approve.

Miss Horsbrugh

I do not have to approve one way or the other. There was one matter in which I was asked why I was interferring. This matter is left to the local education authorities, and I suggest that the hon. Member should express his anxieties to them; it is up to them to decide.

Mr. Ede

Will not the right hon. Lady express some regret that some local authorities have entirely eliminated this instruction?

Miss Horsbrugh

No. I think I must leave it to the authorities to decide for themselves.