HC Deb 04 July 1962 vol 662 cc523-4
25. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make arrangements for a senior official of his department to accompany the hon. Member for Tynemouth to examine the dangerous access, for pupils, to the new Monkseaton Grammar and Technical School.

Mr. Hay

No, Sir. The responsibility for providing safe access to this new school is a matter for the local authorities and not for my right hon. Friend.

Dame Irene Ward

As the school was built at the request of the Ministry of Education, and as Northumberland County Council says that the Minister of Transport is not giving it sufficient money to provide a safe access, will my hon. Friend explain to me whether the lives of children are more important in his opinion? Does he mind whether children have safe access to the school? Why will he not allow someone to come with my experts to look at the whole site? It is absolutely disgraceful that the lives of children should be endangered in this way, and I am ashamed to hear such an Answer from my hon. Friend.

Mr. Hay

Of course, we are all anxious to see that the lives of school children are not endangered.

Dame Irene Ward

Then send up somebody to look at it instead of being so fatuously obstinate.

Mr. Hay

We are anxious to see that the lives of school children are not endangered.

Dame Irene Ward

They are endangered.

Mr. Speaker

Order, order. The hon. Lady has been here so long that she must know that there are limits to permitted misbehaviour.

Mr. Hay

If I may conclude; if my right hon. Friend has no responsibility, I do not quite see how my hon. Friend can force the responsibility upon him.

Dame Irene Ward

Money, money, money.