§ 6. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the names of the Colonies which come under his jurisdiction and which do not have a compulsory school leaving age.
§ Mrs. WhiteI do not have complete information but Colonial Governments have been asked to supply it and I will let the hon. Member have the information when it is received.
§ Mr. DempseyWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it is a well-known fact that in some of our Colonies children are leaving school at the early age of nine, whatever educational facilities they may be having up to that age, in order to become sweated labour? When she gets this information will she do her utmost to ensure that we will have an adequate educational system, without which these people can never progress to self-government?
§ Mrs. WhiteWe are, of course, always anxious to improve educational facilities. My hon. Friend will appreciate that in a number of Colonial Territories this is now a matter for the local government.