HC Deb 20 December 1956 vol 562 cc1441-3
23. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that, contrary to accepted practice approved by his Department, the Stourbridge Labour Party has been refused the use of Stourbridge Grammar School, a grant-aided school, for a public meeting; and whether he will make a statement.

Sir D. Eccles

There is no accepted practice in this matter. Except during Parliamentary and local government elections, the governors of voluntary aided schools have unrestricted power under the Education Act, 1944, to control the use of their school premises for public meetings.

Mr. Wigg

Surely the right hon. Gentleman is aware of what happened in Stourbridge on this occasion. While he may have no direct responsibility, surely he will take this opportunity of expressing disquiet at the action taken by one man, Alderman Jones, Chairman of the Governors, in preventing the Stourbridge Labour Party having the use of this hall for violently protesting against the Government's Suez policy?

Sir D. Eccles

The hon. Gentleman has many opportunities of speaking and I am sorry that he did not get this one. The fact is that the buildings of aided grammar schools belong to the school trustees and, as the Act stands, I have no power to direct them in their use, other than during elections. I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman was not allowed to speak. I understand that the Governors took a decision not to allow any political meetings during the Suez crisis.

Mr. M. Stewart

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that a very serious principle is involved here? If it were a question of a local authority or the governors of an aided school laying down a general principle to allow political meetings or not to allow political meetings, we might allow them discretion to take one of those decisions or the other. Here, as I understand it, the governors refused permission for a particular meeting because of the opinions that were to be expressed at that meeting. Surely it is extremely undesirable that buildings connected with the public education system should be used in such a manner. If the Minister has no powers, will he not consider whether it is necessary for him to take them?

Sir D. Eccles

That is another point. I have not the powers, and whether we should have them over the governors of an aided school requires consideration. I am not prepared to give an answer now.

Mr. J. Griffiths

While the use of school buildings for public meetings is a matter for the authorities concerned, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is unwise and undesirable that the authorities should exercise political discrimination? Suppose this happened in a county with a Labour majority and the boot were on the other foot; what would the Minister say?

Sir D. Eccles

I should take exactly the same view as I have taken in this case.