HC Deb 06 December 1960 vol 631 cc135-6W
87. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a list of the education authorities which have agreed to exempt children from attendance at school in order to engage in postal work during December; and if he is satisfied that in these areas alternative labour is not available.

Mr. Maclay

The following education authorities have agreed to release pupils for Christmas postal work, if required.

Counties.

  • Aberdeen.
  • Angus.
  • Argyll.
  • Ayr.
  • Banff.
  • Bute.
  • Caithness.
  • Clackmannan.
  • Dumfries.
  • Dunbarton.
  • East Lothian.
  • Inverness.
  • Kincardine.
  • Kirkcudbright.
  • Lanark.
  • Orkney.
  • Peebles.
  • Renfrew.
  • Ross & Cromarty.
  • Roxburgh.
  • Selkirk.
  • Stirling.
  • Sutherland.
  • Wigtown.
  • Zetland.

Cities.

  • Aberdeen.
  • Dundee.
  • Edinburgh.

It is expected, however, that the services of pupils will be required only in the five counties of Clackmannanshire, Inverness-shire, Lanarkshire, Renfrew-shire, and Stirlingshire; in addition they may be required in Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire and Selkirkshire. The assistance of pupils is sought by the Post Office only as a last resort after all sources of adult labour have been tried. The final decision to release the pupils rests with the education authorities.