HC Deb 23 February 1956 vol 549 cc566-7
42. Mr. Hayman

asked the Minister of Education whether he has considered the doubts expressed in paragraph 59 of the unanimous Report entitled "Early Leaving" presented to the Minister of Education in 1954 by the Central Advisory Council for Education, England, on the legal validity of school-life agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Minister of Education (Sir David Eccles)

Yes, Sir; and my general view is that premature leaving is better countered by persuasion than by the imposition of legal sanctions.

Mr. Hayman

As the Attorney-General dodged the issue raised in my Question by having the Question transferred to the right hon. Gentleman, will the Minister, in the circumstances, seek advice from the National Council for Civil Liberties, because the essential liberty of a child who wins a place in a grammar school is involved?

Sir D. Eccles

I do not think that there is any question of dodging it at all. The Government's view is that it is not a good thing to have a penalty clause. At the same time, there are often local circumstances, and if a local authority has felt very strongly, it has taken powers. But I myself deplore it.

Mr. Short

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is more than one opinion about this matter, and that many local authorities wish to have a penalty clause in school agreements? Will the right hon. Gentleman do nothing to detract from the powers of local authorities in this matter?

Sir D. Eccles

The hon. Member only shows me how difficult it is to arrive at a decision favourable to the opinion both of local authorities and of others.