Mr. Whiteasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that compulsory attendance at elementary schools within the London County Council is not being enforced; and whether, in the national interest, he will take steps to secure that children are not left to roam the streets in school hours where schools are open to receive them?
§ Mr. RamsbothamAt this time of the year the London schools would be closed for the holidays but for the war, and I understand that the London County Council are not attempting to enforce compulsory attendance if the parents are at home on holiday. With this exception, however, I am informed that the Council are endeavouring to enforce compulsory attendance in all districts in which school accommodation with suitable air-raid protection is available.