§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is satisfied that children of gipsies moving about the country are receiving satisfactory formal education.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonIn general, no. It is the statutory duty of all parents to ensure that their children receive efficient full-time education and enforcement is the responsibility of local education authorities. The nomadic habits of many gipsy families give rise to serious practical difficulties in making satisfactory arrangements for these children and in enforcing attendance. I gladly acknowledge the good work which is going on in some areas—often as a result of collaboration between authorities and with voluntary bodies—to cope with this form of educational disadvantage.