§ 142. Mr. J. McKayasked the Minister of Education if he is aware that the local education authority in Wallsend Borough, an excepted district, objects to children being permitted to leave school to pick potatoes, but is being overruled by the county education committee; and if he will consider amending legislation so that he may be able to prevent children being employed to pick potatoes during school periods.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI am aware that the Borough of Wallsend has been opposed in principle to the release of children from school for potato picking. The power to grant exemption from school attendance for this purpose in case of serious need remains with the Northumberland local education authority. In so doing the authority would be acting upon a request made by myself and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture in Circular 218 of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.