§ 142. Mr. J. Arbuthnotasked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that in Deal, though for many years it has been the practice for certain schoolchildren who are Royal Marine cadets to attend the special dress rehearsal of the Royal Tournament, this year they have been prevented from doing so on the ground of interference with school hours; if he approved this decision; whether he will ensure that such instructions are cancelled for the future; and whether, in this instance, he will, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for War, arrange for these children to visit the Royal Tournament next Saturday on equally favourable terms.
§ Mr. TomlinsonWithin the general limits laid down in my grant regulations it is for the governors of a school to decide whether or not pupils should be given leave of absence, and I should not wish to interfere with their discretion. Pupils cannot demand leave of absence as a right, and I could not therefore accept the principle that they should be compensated if it is refused. I understand, however, that the governors of the school concerned may be prepared to consider 157W giving a school holiday on the day of the dress rehearsal of the Royal Tournament in future, if they are given adequate notice.