20. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Education if he will introduce legislation to control the standards of blazers and other items of school uniforms.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education (Mr. Christopher Chataway)My right hon. Friend does not propose to introduce legislation on this matter, which is one for the local education authorities and the school.
Mrs. ButlerDoes the Parliamentary Secretary realise that this is an important problem for parents, who feel that they should not be asked to provide school uniforms for their children without some sort of guarantee that the clothes will give value and reasonable wear for the money spent, which many of them have a very tight squeeze to afford? Since local education committees and head teachers are becoming concerned about shoddy blazers and other garments, would he make a fresh approach to the problem, in consultation with them, with a view to providing a standard which is more satisfactory both in respect of value for money and in respect of wear?
§ Mr. ChatawayI agree with the hon. Lady about the importance of this subject and with much else that she said. Education proceeds on the basis of a partnership in this country; there are some things which are the responsibility of the central Government and some which are the responsibility of local education authorities. This is a matter which I think properly falls to the local education authorities who will, I am sure, have taken note of the reference to school uniforms in the Molony Report.