HC Deb 14 May 1953 vol 515 cc1527-9
Mr. Pickthorn

I beg to move, in page 8, line 45, leave out "seven," and insert "fourteen."

Mr. Ede

This represents another completely non-party approach to a very difficult subject in the Bill. The Clause originally put into the Bill by the Minister has disappeared. This Amendment really makes the resulting Clause a composite one, composed between both sides of the House, and I should like to thank the right hon. Lady for the way in which she met us on this matter. I am quite certain that by preserving intact the right of the parent in this Clause she has done a great deal to preserve one of the most important parts of the Act of 1944. No one desires that a parent who is trying to dodge giving his child a sound education should be assisted, but he certainly has the right to be consulted as to which school his child should attend, and this Amendment is one of the ways in which both those objects are achieved.

Amendment agreed to.

Bill recommitted to a Committee of the whole House in respect of the new Clause standing on the Order Paper in the name of Mr. Hayman.—[Miss Horsbrugh.]

Bill immediately considered in Committee.