HC Deb 11 March 1965 vol 708 cc607-8
17. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children of school age are living in the caravans of the gypsies and other travellers off the A.2 trunk road near Cobham, Kent; how many are attending school; and what is being done to ensure that the others do so.

Mr. Prentice

On 2nd March there were 25 children of school age, 7 of whom had not been admitted to school. The local education authority is doing all it can to secure that these children attend school.

Mr. Dodds

As on Tuesday we had the enlightened policy about coloured immigrants, may we now turn our efforts to trying to get an enlightened policy with regard to gypsies and other travellers in this country? Would my hon. Friend bear in mind that when these people were at a legal camp the children went to school and made progress in a wonderful way? Now they are on an unlawful site without water and other amenities. Is it the best way to get the children to school? Must not we do something for these people as well as for coloured immigrants?

Mr. Prentice

The legality of the site is now subject to appeal and something upon which I cannot comment. I understand that officers of the L.E.A., health visitors and police have visited the site to persuade parents to send their children to school. I hope that this will have some effect.

Mr. Hornby

Will the hon. Gentleman see what he can do to persuade other local authorities to do as much as Kent is already trying to do to solve this sort of problem? Is he aware that there is a real difference between what is being done by Kent and some neighbouring counties?

Mr. Prentice

I think that is a matter for another Department, but I will note what has been said.

Mr. Murray

Will my hon. Friend consider having consultations with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and with the Ministry of Health to try to sort out this problem which Kent, and particularly the Strood Rural District Council, is facing? I am sure he is aware of the real difficulty, when so many of this small number of children are not going to school, and that we want something done about it?

Mr. Prentice

I am aware of that difficulty. On the wider question my right hon. Friend will take note of what my hon. Friend has said.