HL Deb 16 April 1969 vol 301 cc65-6
LORD GARNSWORTHY

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 whether they are aware of the great difficulties local education authorities have in recruiting school crossing patrols, and whether they have under consideration measures that would ease the situation.]

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD KENNET)

My Lords, the Government do not know of any widespread problem of recruitment. The matter is one for the local education authorities. They have not asked for my right honourable friend's help.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that in the county constabulary part of Surrey, out of 174 crossing patrols authorised no fewer than 56 are vacant? And is not the position somewhat similar in many other areas in the country?

LORD KENNET

My Lords, I think it was clear from my earlier reply that I was not aware of that situation, and if the local education authority feel that my right honourable friend can be of any help no doubt they will be in touch with him.

LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that there has been a successful experiment in Hendon in the use of sixth-form boys who perform the function of school crossing patrols? Might not this method be more widely used to help out in those counties where difficulties are being encountered?

LORD KENNET

My Lords, I would sooner not comment on that suggestion until I have had an opportunity to reflect on the position.

LORD INGLEWOOD

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he is not aware that the use of senior boys and girls for this duty is widespread on the Continent? For instance, the crossings near the schools in West Berlin are all manned by senior children attending those schools. Would it not be a good duty for them to undertake here and thus save the money of the taxpayers?

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that many secondary schools object to sixth-form boys' being called upon to undertake this duty, and in any case quite often secondary schools are located so far from the primary schools that it is impossible for the secondary schoolboys to undertake the task? Does not the noble Lord think it better, if crossing patrols cannot be appointed, for there to be mechanical means of assisting children to cross the roads?

LORD KENNET

My Lords, there are clearly many things to be said on both sides about the proposal to use sixth-form boys and girls. This is primarily a matter for local education authorities.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, as chairman of one of the education authorities in Buckinghamshire I should like to ask the noble Lord whether the legal liabilities would not make it difficult for local education authorities to use senior pupils when there is the question of risk to life and limb?

LORD KENNET

My Lords, that is a helpful point—indeed, all the points which have been raised are helpful.