§ 14. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Education if, in view of the large number of deaths from drowning in Great Britain due to inability to swim and in order to encourage children attending schools under his jurisdiction to learn to swim, he will institute a prize or certificate to be awarded to such of those children as can pass a swimming test.
§ Sir D. EcclesNo, Sir. There is an excellent scheme of tests and certificates organised by the Royal Life Saving Society. I think it is better to rely on this.
§ Mr. HughesHas not the right hon. Gentleman realised that the scheme is not sufficiently "excellent", as he calls it, to reduce the number of deaths? He has done nothing of a concrete character during the last few years to encourage it. Will not he reconsider my suggestion to provide a certificate to encourage children to learn to swim?
§ Sir D. EcclesI am not sure that that is fair on the Royal Life Saving Society, which awarded 127,000 certificates of proficiency last year. Many local authorities pay the Society's examination fees for children in their schools, which I think is a good thing.