§ 74 and 75. Mr. James Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many young people are in intermediate approved schools because of truancy at the latest convenient date; and how long is the average period of detention;
(2) how many school children are in junior approved schools because of truancy at the latest convenient date; and how long is the average period of detention.
§ Mr. RossAt 31st March, 1969, there were 26 boys and 7 girls in intermediate approved schools and 13 boys and 2 girls in junior approved schools who had been brought before the courts by education authorities because of irregular attendance at school. The reports supplied to the courts on their social background indicate that in many cases there are other problems in addition to truancy. The average period of detention of truants released in the year ending 31st March, 1969, from intermediate schools was 12 months for boys and 13 months for girls; and from junior schools was 21 months for boys and 17 months for girls.