§ 6. Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities are planning to make economies in public expenditure by ceasing to heat swimming pools provided for the use of schoolchildren; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonDetailed information of this nature is not collected by my Department. Local education authorities have wide discretion to decide what measures to contain educational expenditure should be adopted within their areas.
§ Mr. NewensIs my hon. Friend aware that in Essex it is proposed to make such economies in respect of 68 pools, many of which were provided by parental effort? Is it not disgraceful that this should be done? Will it not reduce the amount of time available for swimming and inevitably lead to fewer children learning to swim and more deaths by drowning?
§ Miss JacksonI agree that it is disturbing that such proposals should be thought necessary by the local authority. I did not learn to swim until I was in my twenties, and I agree that it is very dangerous for children not to be able to swim, and to be in danger of drowning. However, I repeat that this is a matter for the decision of the local authority.
§ Mr. FreudDoes the hon. Lady accept that it would be difficult to envisage a more sensible economy at the moment?