§ Sir G. Owenasked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the fact that the Education Act of 1944 repeals all school attendance bye-laws made under the Education Act of 1921, including those raising the school-leaving age locally to 15 years, he will either introduce legislation or an Order under the Defence of the Realm Act to remove the anomaly and to safeguard during any interim period such bye-laws as anticipate the provisions of Section 35, paragraph 1, of the 1944 Act.
§ Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Education if he will meet the difficulties created, for certain local authorities, by his decision to postpone the raising of the school-leaving age, by making an Order 742W in Council to enable them to retain their existing bye-laws under which the school-leaving age in their areas has been raised to 15 years.
§ Mr. ButlerWhen Part II of the Education Act, 1944, comes into operation on 1st April next, it will still be open to parents to keep their children at school until 15, and much as I appreciate the hon. Members' motives I am not prepared to take special measures to compel parents to do so in particular areas pending the introduction of a general school-leaving age of 15.