Education (Hansard, 5 April 1960)

§ 2. Mr. Marquand
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is intended to make primary education in Dominica compulsory.

§ Mr. Alport
The Dominica Government have decided to introduce compulsory education in given areas as soon as adequate school accommodation is available in those areas, and they expect to make a start during 1960 in a number of areas. The post of school attendance officer has been created in the 1960 Estimates for this purpose.

§ Mr. Marquand
On a point of order. In the Order Book which was published yesterday giving a list of Questions to be asked today, there appeared Question No. 3 in my name about elections in Dominica, but today that Question does not appear on the Order Paper. I have been given no notice of any change or of any irregularity about the Question.

§ Mr. Speaker
I am afraid that I can only apologise to the right hon. Gentleman and look into the matter, because I have no knowledge of it at the moment.

§ Mr. Callaghan
If, Mr. Speaker, it is found before half-past three that a mistake has been made, could my right hon. Friend have an Answer to that Question?

§ Mr. Speaker
The explanation is, I understand, that it was the right hon. Gentleman's third Question. That would explain the matter.

§ Mr. Marquand
I thought, Mr. Speaker, that I could put down a third Question for non-oral Answer without extinguishing my right to have two Oral Answers.

§ Mr. Speaker
It sounds as though—I do not know—that what the right hon. Gentleman put down intending to be for non-Oral Answer, or vice versa, has got otherwise treated because the Question here not for Oral Answer already appears as No. 5 on page 2952 of the Order Paper. There are two Questions down there in the name of the right hon. Gentleman, Nos. 4 and 5.

§ Mr. Callaghan
With respect, Mr. Speaker, who decides which of the three Questions is to be withdrawn?

§ Mr. Speaker
It is the hon. Member who decides, because it is the third one in, I suppose, which is of a starred character.

§ Mr. Marquand
Would it not save the time of the House, Mr. Speaker, if the Minister of State would answer the Question which did appear?

§ Mr. Speaker
I am sorry but that could not conceivably be right. I will try to find out what was the exact sequence of events, but it is no good trying to do that now.