Mr. T. THOMSONasked the President of the Board of Education whether, notwithstanding the recommendations of the chief medical officer that school camps should be encouraged, local education authorities are handicapped in making such arrangements under Section 17 of the Education Act of 1918, owing to the rulings of his Board that attendance at lessons given in camps cannot be reckoned on the register of attendances if any charge is made; and, if the Act of 1918 prohibits such charges, will he bring in an amending Bill to enable local education authorities to organise school camps 607W for which a charge is made and where attendance at lessons may be counted on the school register?
Mr. LEWISOn the general question of principle, I can only refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given to him on the 26th April. I do not consider that local education authorities are handicapped, and I am not prepared to introduce legislation for the purpose suggested.