HL Deb 08 May 1961 vol 231 cc77-8WA
THE EARL OF HARROWBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

If they can state how many school leavers in the United Kingdom from secondary modern, grammar and technical schools cannot swim, in percentages and in total for each category and as a whole; how many of these in total and in percentages are considered to be incapacitated on medical grounds; and what steps are being taken towards all islanders being able to swim.

VISCOUNT HAILSHAM

There are no reliable statistics about the number of children who can or cannot swim. Local education authorities and schools are, however, well aware of the importance of teaching swimming, teachers of the subject are entering the schools in increasing numbers, and the number of school swimming baths is also increasing. In addition many children are taught to swim at public swimming baths. Her Majesty's Government do not, of course, themselves prescribe what subjects shall be taught in schools.