§ Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Education how many girls aged 13 to 15 were reported absent from school for reasons other than ill health since the raising of the school-leaving age; and whether he will impress on all parents the importance to the girls of these later years at school.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. The enforcement of school attendance is the responsibility of the local education authority and I have no reason to suppose that absenteeism of older girls from avoidable causes is at all widespread.