HL Deb 10 December 1968 vol 298 cc407-8
THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have given to local education authorities in the matter of protecting school children against the dangers of going to school in the dark.]

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, as he recently announced in another place, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science issued Circular 23/68 to local education authorities on November 22. This urged any authorities who might not already have considered changes in the timing of the school day because of the effect of British Standard Time in the winter months to do so urgently, particularly in relation to younger children. The circular also passed on advice from the Ministry of Transport about precautions which could be taken to minimise traffic dangers.

THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERY

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Baroness for that reply. May I ask also what steps, if any, the Government have taken to remove purchase tax and other obstacles in the way of the sale of reflective and fluorescent guards for children going to school in the dark in the morning?

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I am sure the noble Earl will appreciate that I cannot give him a reply to that question, but I will see that he receives that information.

BARONESS HORSBRUGH

My Lords, can the noble Baroness say whether Her Majesty's Government are also taking into account the situation in Scotland, where not only is it dark at the time in question but the roads are very slippery?

BARONESS PHILLIPS

Yes, my Lords. The situation is being watched very carefully. I expect the noble Baroness will have noticed that the Prime Minister has said that an assessment will be made at the end of the winter on the basis of the information then available—for instance, in relation to road accidents.

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, will my noble friend ensure that local authorities do not, in the interests of economy, put street lights out early in the morning in some areas, when children are going to school?

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I shall be glad to convey that point to the appropriate authorities. This possibly would not apply to all authorities but to some of which the noble Lord has knowledge.

Back to