§ 20. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Minister of Education why students and staff of Coventry Teacher Training College have had permission refused for holding lunches of bread and cheese as a means of raising funds to assist the Freedom from Hunger campaign.
§ Sir D. EcclesI am advised that the local education authority has no power to pass on to the campaign any sums saved in this way. But I welcome the students' gesture and hope that they will find another way of contributing.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs not that a very unsatisfactory Answer? Is not the Minister aware that the Freedom from Hunger Campaign is an important campaign which is supposed to enjoy the blessing of the Government? Is it not a piece of bureaucratic nonsense to frustrate the generous impulse of teachers and students in this way? Will he give general advice that the training colleges should be encouraged to do this sort of thing?
§ Sir D. EcclesThe law is not a piece of bureaucratic nonsense.
§ Mr. WilleyMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman not to be content with such an answer, but to look at this matter again to see whether he cannot give encouragement to such activities as this?
§ Sir D. EcclesI am entirely in favour of encouraging contributions to the campaign, which is obviously one of very great merit, but the law says that local education authorities have no power to pass on savings of this nature.
§ Mrs. WhiteCannot the law be changed? Is not that what we are here for, if necessary?