§ 2. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Education if she is aware that her cuts in education costs have caused continuing closing of school swimming 1165 baths, the dismissal of qualified swimming teachers, members of the Swimming Teachers' Association, and diminution in facilities for school children learning and practising swimming; and if she will now reverse her policy so as to restore full facilities for swimming and other physical training for children.
§ Miss HorsbrughI am not aware that any school swimming baths have been closed, though in a few areas there has been some diminution in the facilities for swimming instruction. I am not prepared to question this exercise by authorities of their discretion.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that if she makes inquiries she will find that quite a number of swimming baths have been closed, that there is great discontent among qualified teachers of swimming who are thereby being robbed of their livelihood for which they have studied, and that thousands of children are being deprived of this amenity?
§ Miss HorsbrughPerhaps the hon. and learned Gentleman would send me a list of the swimming baths which he says have been closed.