§ 22. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Education what was the number of children of gypsies and other travellers living in caravans in north-west Kent, details of which have been sent to him, who were admitted to local schools during the week commencing 20th November; what special provision was made to accommodate them; and what are the prospects of their benefiting from the educational services available to them.
§ Sir D. EcclesThirty-two. A special class has been established in hired accommodation for retarded junior pupils so that their educational needs may be assessed. The arrangements made by the Kent Education Authority are well calculated to benefit the children provided that they attend school regularly.
§ Mr. DoddsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that great credit is due to a local schoolmaster who has put himself out to help these children, some of whom have never been to school and yet are eight or nine years old? When they want to go to school on Sundays they are very happy. Does he not think that it is tragic that the local council is buying the land so that it can turn these people off and will be able to do so next week, on the eve of Christmas, when there is nowhere else for them to go? It is uprooting the children from the school. If the council waited until the spring, three-quarters of the families would be going to work on the farms until the autumn. Cannot something be done to help these children?
§ Sir D. EcclesI agree that this particular teacher is doing a tough job, and I think we are all grateful to him. As for the information which the hon. Gentleman has just given me, I had better look into it.
§ Mr. BrockwayWould the right hon. Gentleman look at the precedent which has been set by Eton Rural District Council, which has now provided land for gypsies so that their children may go to school?
§ Sir D. EcclesYes, I shall.