HC Deb 04 December 1930 vol 245 cc2400-1W
Sir F. THOMSON

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the report of the education committee of the Aberdeen Town Council in connection with the Education (School Attendance) Bill, dated 18th November, 1930, which was approved by the town council, and in which the committee expressed the view that the operation of the Education Act, 1918, in respect to the raising of the school age should be deferred until at least 1935; and whether he will keep the views of this and other education committees in mind in considering what action he should take in the matter?

Duchess of ATHOLL

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, seeing that a conference of Scottish education authorities has recently been held at which it was unanimously decided that 1st September, 1934, was the earliest date on which the authorities could be ready for the raising of the school age, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. MILLAR

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is proposed to fix the appointed day for the raising of the school age in Scotland?

Mr. W. ADAMSON

I have considered the decision reached by the conference of Scottish education authorities, the report of the education committee of the Aberdeen Town Council, and the various other representations which I have received dealing with the question of the raising of the school age in Scotland. In accordance with the recent decision of the Government, I propose to fix 1st September, 1932, as the date upon which Section 14 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918 (which raises the school age to 15 in Scotland), shall come into operation.

Local Education Authority. Number of juveniles in attendance at approved courses of instruction during week ended 19th November.
Insured contributors attending as a condition for the receipt of benefit. Other. Total.
ENGLAND AND WALES.
ENGLAND.
Aldershot … … … 5 3 8
Birkenhead … … … 333 79 412
Birmingham … … … 252 — 252
Blackburn … … … 564 124 688
Bolton … … … 93 1 94
Bootle … … … 154 8 162
Bradford … … … 165 36 201
Bristol … … … 208 5 213
Burnley … … … 152 3 155
Chesterfield … … … 49 39 88