§ 12. Mr. Marquandasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education whether he will arrange for a sample inquiry to be made in a number of large towns of the educational history and progress of school children whose parents are receiving National Assistance.
§ Sir E. BoyleNo, Sir. The Central Advisory Council for Education is about to sponsor a sample survey of the educational, social and financial background 1292 of young people who have recently left school. My noble Friend considers that this survey should be more useful than an attempt to study the isolated influence of one economic factor.
§ Mr. MarquandSurely, it is hardly an isolated factor when the parents of no fewer than 300,000 children under 16 years of age are dependent on National Assistance. Since the local education authorities undoubtedly have the information as to which parents have been drawing National Assistance—since they supply the children with free meals when their parents are drawing assistance—will he make sure that this inquiry will take note of the special case of children who have been receiving free meals at school?
§ Sir E. BoyleI can assure the hon. Member that this is to be a very widespread inquiry. It is important to remember that local education authorities have power to assist pupils in school to enable them to take advantage, without hardship to themselves or to their parents, of any educational facilities available to them. National Assistance scales are not, of course, in any way related to the cost of maintaining a child at school.
§ Mr. MarquandWill the hon. Gentleman ask his noble Friend to take note of the declaration of the Prime Minister: that no one should be allowed to sink below a decent level, but that everyone should be free to rise according to his gifts, his work and his worth? Will he ask his noble Friend if it is really possible to do that on 18s. a week?
§ Sir E. BoyleI am sure my noble Friend is well aware of the sentiments to which the hon. Gentleman has just drawn attention.