asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that paragraph 109 of the University Grants Committee Report indicates an insufficient demand for dental education, and that accordingly the Committee cannot recommend the necessary acceleration of additional provision for dental education, although the present entry of 600 students a year is one-third less than the entry figure recommended by the Teviot Committee; and whether, in these circumstances, he will ascertain to what extent the status of the dental profession can be raised and made more attractive by permitting a larger part of prosthetic and other dental work to be carried out by suitably qualified technicians and auxiliaries.

Yes, Sir. Certain clauses of the Dentists' Bill, which will be reintroduced when Parliamentary time permits, provide for the establishment, subject to suitable safeguards, of ancillary dental workers.

In view of the shortage of dentists as well as people under training for dentistry, will my hon. Friend consider whether these technicians should be allowed to carry out work which is not applied to living tissue, the type of work which they already do to qualified standards?

That is another question. The Dentists Bill does not provide for that type of ancillary worker.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the resolutions approved at the annual meeting of the Association of Hospital Management Committees in June, with reference to the recruitment of student nurses and the difficulties experienced in recruitment, due to the actions by the General Nursing Council in endeavouring to raise the present educational entrance examination, and lengthening the time between school leaving age and eligibility for the nursing profession, copies of which have been forwarded to him; and, in view of the serious situation these alterations can create, what steps he proposes to take to ensure a continued adequate recruitment of nurses.

Yes, Sir, my right hon. Friend has received these resolutions and is considering them. There is no educational entrance examination for student nurses, and no such examination can be instituted without my right hon. Friend's approval, which he has hitherto refused to give. My right hon. Friend is watching carefully the effect of the rule which makes the age of 18 the minimum age for entry to training.

As the matter is giving the very gravest concern to every hospital management committee, will the Parliamentary Secretary ensure that during the Recess, if necessary, it is referred to the Central Health Services Council for careful investigation, because there will have to be a very full discussion on the subject next Session?

I can assure the hon. Lady that my right hon. Friend is watching progress in this matter very carefully.

Is the hon. Lady aware that, whatever effect this may have on general nursing students—it will probably be very serious—its effect on recruiting for mental nursing will be absolutely disastrous? Will she and her right hon. Friend do their utmost to get the General Nursing Council to think again about the matter?

The hon. Gentleman should also bear in mind that if there was any branch which required the additional seniority, it would be the mental side.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to amend the Mental Deficiency Act or make other arrangements to enable the next-of-kin to be legally represented in appeals to the Board of Control against the making or renewal of detention orders.

I do not think that legislation is needed for this. The Board are always prepared to give interviews to the legal representatives of the next-of-kin of mentally defective patients, as they have always been to the next-of-kin themselves, and to give full consideration to any representations made.

Is the Minister aware that that answer will be greeted with some satisfaction because it was possible to hear in the past that justice was being denied to people in humble circumstances where issues of civil liberties were at stake? Will he do what he can to make it known to the next-of-kin that this right is available to them?

Yes, certainly. I think that this Question and answer will help. The recent case which the hon. and gallant Member has in mind was a protest against the Visitors not receiving counsel representing next-of-kin, but in that particular case the Board of Control did give full attention to the counsel representing the next-of-kin.

Is the Minister aware that in many other respects this 40-year-old Act is out-of-line with up-to-date medical thinking? Can he hold out any hope of amending legislation next Session?

I should not like to do that, but I am very conscious that it is important to revise and consolidate the Mental Acts as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health what conclusions he has reached with regard to contracts with the Medical Supply Association, Park Royal, N.W.10, following his inquiries into the firm's alleged breach of the fair wages clause.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to add anything to the answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour on 23rd July.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this firm is advertising for non-union labour and has a staff almost entirely of non-union men; and will he arrange for an inspection of the quality of the work that is being done for his Department?

This is rather outside my field. A number of allegations have been made about this firm, but I should like to make it clear that the firm deny all these allegations, and it is only reasonable that the investigation set in train by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour should be allowed to proceed, so that we can find out on which side justice lies.

Is the Minister aware that these things are arising from the strong feeling among members of the Amalgamated Engineering Union, which is officially supporting the strike?

I am very well aware of the circumstances, but all I am saying is that we should not pronounce a verdict before listening to the defence.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the need for a further 120 beds in the Southmead Hospital Group; that the cases to be dealt with are growing beyond the capacities of the hospitals; that the number of cases on the surgical waiting lists are increasing; that some of the buildings are old and need replacing; that the committee is unable to carry out its plans for development because of the lack of finance; and what steps he is taking to secure an increase in the grants to prevent any impairing of the efficiency of these hospitals.

I agree that some additional beds are needed to serve the City of Bristol, but not necessarily at hospitals in the Southmead Group. The Regional Hospital Board are providing more surgical beds at Frenchay Hospital and are improving the operating facilities at Southmead. Other improvements will be made as resources permit.

Is the Minister aware of the deep frustration of people who are interested in hospital administration in the Bristol area, particularly in connection with capital expenditure? The amount that has been allocated in Bristol this year is so small that it will take seven years to catch up with what is now required, leaving out of account the accumulation of needs during the seven years. Can the right hon. Gentleman increase the amount and do it as quickly as possible?

On the question of Southmead, I should have thought that the first need there was for an operating theatre, which is being provided, and the second was probably for out-patient facilities, which will come next. The capital allocation for this region is being increased by £30,000 for next year, apart from the share they may have of the £2 million for large schemes.

Is the Minister not aware that his reply will cause bewilderment in the City of Bristol? There has been a huge expansion of house building in this area. Nearly half the population of Bristol is now centred around this hospital group and we believe that the minimum requirement there is at least a block of four new wards.

I have conceded that there is a need for additional beds to serve the City of Bristol, and I would give the same answer in respect of many other cities. The only point is that I am not tying myself by stating exactly in which hospital in Bristol they should be provided.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the growing waiting lists at Cardiff hospitals; and when he expects building operations to commence in connection with the proposed new training hospital in Cardiff.

My information is that although they remain substantial the lists, in the aggregate, have shown a reduction over the past year. I am not yet able to say when a start with the building of new hospitals will be possible.

Is the Minister aware that doctors and patients alike are distressed at the fact that people who are in pain are being told they will have to wait as long as two years before they will be able to get into a hospital? Will he try to ensure a speeding up?

It distresses me as much as anyone else that there should be a waiting list of whatever size. But the waiting lists, taking the city as a whole, have been slightly reduced in the past year. I want very much to see a start made on the teaching hospital in Cardiff, which the hon. Member knows has a very high priority, but I cannot give a precise starting date. I think that the architectural competition is at present under discussion.

asked the Minister of Health when he hopes to establish a cerebral palsy unit at Treloar's Hospital, Alton, Hampshire.

The need for such a unit is now being considered by the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, who are responsible for planning the hospital services in this area.

Is the Minister aware that Hampshire parents are eagerly looking forward to the establishment of such a unit, and will he do everything he can to expedite that decision?

I have seen the representations to which the hon. Member refers, but detailed priorities of this nature are, of course, for the Regional Board.

Can the Minister say whether this proposed unit will also deal with the early diagnosis of these cases, which is of fundamental importance if the correct treatment is to be given?

I agree with the hon. Member, and I am sure that that will be the case.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in providing additional accommodation for mental defectives at the South Ockendon Institution.

Two new villas of 40 beds each have just been completed and the Board plan to begin work on another similar villa this year and have proposals for a fourth in 1955. In addition, three properties have been purchased for adaptation to provide 98 beds.

While recognising that this additional accommodation will substantially reduce the tragically long waiting list in Essex, can my right hon. Friend say whether he anticipates any staffing difficulties?

I have no particular knowledge of any staffing difficulty at the South Ockendon Institution, but I do not attempt to disguise the fact that the staffing problem in the mental services generally is most serious.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has investigated the recent cases of food poisoning of children in South London; and what action he is taking.

Officers of my Department have been in touch with the public health departments of the London County Council and the Metropolitan borough councils concerned. My right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food and the L.C.C. have taken steps to recall the milk powder suspected to have infected the food responsible for the outbreak.

Is it not scandalous that school children should be poisoned by powdered milk supplied by the Ministry of Food to local authorities? In view of the fact that the number of poisoning cases of this kind is double those of last year, will the Minister guarantee that stocks held by the Ministry of Food will be immediately examined, and, if found unfit, destroyed before any further damage is done?

That is largely a matter for my right hon. and gallant Friend, but I am certain that it is being done.

Is the Minister aware that it is a great blow to our trust in tinned powdered milk that we should have any cases of this type at all? Can he say what is the causing agency—was it staphylococcal poisoning—and what action is to be taken to see that there is no further possibility of contamination of any forms of dried powdered milk in the future?

Investigation into this particular outbreak is not yet completed, so I cannot add to my answer so far as the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question is concerned. As to the second point, we are taking all possible steps in this matter.

Is it not a fact that food poisoning from this source of supply was first reported in Surrey on 10th July? Can the Minister say why no instructions were given to the L.C.C. until 23rd July?

This is a rather complicated story, and I think it would be more appropriate, if we are to have a debate later, that the matter be raised then.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consult the Minister of Education with the object of providing young deaf children with residual hearing, and hard of hearing children, with a light weight monopack hearing aid under the provisions of the National Health Service Act.

I have already decided, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education to provide children who can benefit from it with a Medresco aid in monopack form. It will inevitably, however, be some considerable time before these can be made available through the National Health Service.

Whilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that statement, may I ask whether, before he develops this scheme too far, he will consult the parents and teachers of children who will have to use these aids, before going in for a general supply?

Yes, Sir. The position at the moment is that we are asking the Post Office, who act as technicians in these matters, to carry out the necessary field trials. I will give an undertaking that I shall consult with the persons concerned.

asked the Minister of Health the reason for the long delay in the supply of hearing aids in Halifax, as compared with some other parts of the country.

The pressure on the Bradford distribution centre, which serves Halifax, is very heavy and it has not so far been possible, as elsewhere, to open an additional centre in this part of the country. I hope, however, that it may be possible to open a centre at Halifax itself before the end of the year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has been telling me that story for nearly two years and that while the waiting period in other parts of the country is three months, in Halifax it is nearly three years? Will the right hon. Gentleman keep the promise he has just made to open the centre at the end of the year?

I cannot have been giving the same answer for nearly two years as I have only been one year in office as Minister of Health. It is true that to some extent this area is lagging behind. The reason is that the regional hospital board have not found it possible to fit it into this extra programme. But I think that we can reasonably hope that it will be operating at the end of the year.

Is the delay due to the fact that personnel are not available for the work? When the right hon. Gentleman opens the centre will he make sure that he provides not only the appliances but the personnel to see that the aids are adequately applied and that the people concerned are taught how to use them?

I will certainly look at that, but the difficulty in Halifax, I think, has been financial and not one of personnel.

Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware of the difficulty in the City of Bradford? Can he assure the House that he will give constant attention to the complaints which I have sent to him on numerous occasions?

Yes, certainly. It follows that the opening of a sub-centre will take a great deal of the weight off Bradford, but with the position as it is we have reduced the waiting list in Bradford from 4,800 in February, 1952, to about 3,700 now.

asked the Minister of Health what alteration there has been in the system of reckoning the number of journeys and patients carried by the ambulance service since 1950; what were the dates; and if he will give details of the alterations.

In 1950 there was no uniformity of reckoning; since then an increasing number of authorities have adopted the system advocated by the Ministry. It is impossible to give any single date. The process is not yet complete.

Is there any truth in the suggestion that this scheme was introduced to show that the Health Service has been more active and conveyed more patients when, in fact, more patients have not been conveyed by the ambulances?

I do not think that the introduction of the new method was with that purpose, although, quite obviously, the result would be to make the figures look larger than they had hitherto been. I think it is accepted that the only fair basis of comparison between one authority and another is as a single unit and a single journey and I hope that that shortly will be carried on throughout the Service.

Is not this scheme, therefore, dishonest?

asked the Minister of Education how many parents have applied for assistance to meet the increased charges for school dinners; and what action she is taking to ensure that this service is fully utilised in view of the decline in the number of meals served to schoolchildren.

I have no information on the first part of the Question. I have told local education authorities that I am willing to consider proposals for the adjustment of income scales to avoid hardship to parents.

As many parents are unaware that assistance can be obtained under certain conditions and as it is the children from the poorest homes who usually need the meals most, would the Minister, before the schools reassemble, try to find some way of informing parents that the meals can be obtained, so that no child will be deprived of a school dinner by reason of too little finance in the family?

Certainly, if it is not known, but from information I have from education authorities I think they have made it known and 85 of the authorities have already revised their scales. If there is any other information I can give the hon. Member I shall be glad to give it to him.

Is it not true that teachers know all about this arrangement? Do not the teachers do their job satisfactorily by letting the parents know?

Yes, I think the teachers are in touch with the parents and tell them and the authorities. If there are any cases such as those referred to by the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds) I think the very fact of his Question and the answer will draw the attention of the public to the matter. If there is anything else I can do to let them know I will certainly do it.

Would not the easier way, rather than playing about with this, be to put back the price which was in operation prior to the measly increase of 2d. a meal which the Minister made last March? Would it not be better to give all children an opportunity by reducing the charge to what it was?

No, I do not think so.

asked the Minister of Education the percentage by which the number of school meals served in the Huyton-with-Roby area, or if separate figures are not obtainable for the appropriate divisional executive, since charges were increased, and comparable figures for England and Wales.

I have no separate information about the number of school dinners served in the Huyton-with-Roby area or in the divisional executive in which it is situated. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 16th July to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner).

As the authority in question has put out figures suggesting a fall in the consumption of school meals by about 20 per cent., is the Minister not able to check with the divisional executive whether these figures are correct? If so, what is she going to do about this very serious state of affairs.

I have the figures for the Lancashire County Council area as a whole, but I have not asked for figures of individual schools or divisional executives. If the right hon. Gentleman has the figure, it is perhaps not necessary to ask me for it.

asked the Minister of Education how many children were receiving school meals on a day in June, 1953, and a comparable day in June, 1952.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 16th July to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner).

As that answer was tucked away in a series of answers in Written answers to Questions, may I ask the-Minister whether she is not appalled by this serious drop of a quarter of a million in the number taking school meals? Is not the real figure from the increase in last September about half a million? What does she intend to do about it?

I have compared the figures for June last year with the figures for June this year. As the hon. Member knows, each year the number goes up in the winter and down in the summer. I have taken the same months, and the decline is from 49·1 per cent. of the children in the one year to 43·1 per cent. in the other, but I think the hon. Member should bear in mind that it is quite clear that there are other causes for this decline in the number as well as the fact of the extra charge.

Is the Minister aware that there has been a 25 per cent. drop in the number of children in Wales who partake of school meals since she increased the cost, and will she not realise that this is a public menace? She is breaking down the whole service.

I do not know upon what the hon. Member bases his figure of a 25 per cent. drop. If he means the school children in the whole country, in England and Wales 49·1 per cent. were taking meals in June last year and 43·1 per cent. in June this year.

In Wales?

asked the Minister of Education (1) if, in view of the health and other questions involved, she will now reconsider her decision not to allow the child of Mrs. Morshead, Ivybank, Doubletrees, St. Blazey Gate, Cornwall, to attend the school of her parents' choice;

(2) if, in view of the numbers likely to apply for admission to St. Blazey Infants' School, Cornwall, in September, 1953, she will reconsider her previous decision in respect of the four children she refused admission, and allow them to attend the school of their parents' choice from the beginning of the new school year.

As I have already explained to the right hon. Member, the control of admissions to county schools rests, not with me, but with the authority, subject to the right of appeal by the parent against unreasonable exclusion. If it is considered that there are any new relevant circumstances, the proper course would be for these to be brought to the notice of the local education authority in the first instance.

Since, in this case, after the Minister's first ruling, 20 children were admitted to the school that was supposed to be overcrowded, will she now press the local authorities, in view of the considerations mentioned in my second Question, to reconsider this matter before the September term and bring an end to this very long standing unsatisfactory state of affairs?

I think that when the hon. Member used the word "ruling" he did not quite understand what I said. It was that I would not overrule the local authority in coming to their decision. I have not interfered with the local authority in coming to their decision and, as I have explained, the local authority have the right to make these arrangements; but the parents have the right to appeal to me against unreasonable exclusion.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that this matter was gone into fully with three or four Members of Parliament, including myself, some months ago? Have any new features arisen since then to alter her decision?

I think my hon. Friend will agree that at the time I discussed it I said that my decision was, on the information I then had, not to overrule the decision of the local authority. If any new circumstances have arisen, they ought to be brought to the notice of the local authority.

Is it not extraordinary that the Minister, who is given a definite responsibility under the 1944 Act, is unwilling to overrule the activities of a local authority which has behaved in this manner against the interests of the parents and children concerned? Is the right hon. Lady aware that the prospective admissions to this school for September suggest that there is a totally new set of circumstances which would justify her in reversing her previous decision?

I do not know how to make it clear to the right hon. Member, but I have tried to do so. The decision is the decision of the local authority and any parent has the right to appeal to me against unreasonable exclusion. At present, no parent has appealed to me against unreasonable exclusion. If there are new facts which the right hon. Member thinks should be brought to the notice of the local authority, I hope that they will be brought to their notice.

asked the Minister of Education how many javelins were obtained for the expenditure of £730 by the Kent Education Committee; and for what purpose they have been used.

Three hundred and eighty-two javelins were purchased as part of the physical education equipment of certain secondary schools.

Will the Minister now give an undertaking that she will see that none of the children who are expected to hurl these javelins will be deprived of mid-day school meals because of the lack of money?

asked the Minister of Education what proportion of school children have been examined by school dentists in Leicester during 1952.

Approximately 33 per cent.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that owing to the difficulty in getting the necessary staff to attend to the teeth of school children, nearly 2,000 permanent teeth were extracted from children in Leicester schools in 1952? What action will the Minister take to ensure that the children's teeth are properly attended to and the necessary staff provided? The position is very serious.

I hope that there will be an increase in the staff in Leicester, as there has been in the rest of the country. The dental staff in the schools is increasing, and I hope that that increase will very shortly be experienced in Leicester.

asked the Minister of Education if, in view of the seriousness of the economic situation, she will refuse to sanction the grant of £30,000 for an additional building at Nonnington College, Eastry, Kent.

Provision has been made in the 1954–55 building programme for work costing £30,000. Before any expenditure on this work is actually approved, my Department will give careful consideration, in consultation with the Kent local education authority, to the whole project and its cost.

Will the Minister bear in mind that as Britain is the one country in the world which is not and cannot become self-supporting, and that all increase in expenditure must impede or destroy our ability to compete in the markets of the world, our first social service must be food? What is the good of children and teachers in schools if they have nothing to eat?

I very much hope that under this Government the children will have both schools and food.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that there is need for more, not less, education in Kent?

asked the Minister of Education if she has now decided to increase the amount that local education authorities may spend on minor building projects; and if she will make a statement.

I am not yet in a position to tell local education authorities what will be their permitted allocations for minor building works for the coming year.

Can the Minister say how many local authorities have applied for sanction for increased expenditure upon minor building works, and in how many cases she has agreed to increased expenditure?

The minor works expenditure is discussed in the autumn. We are still dealing with the major works. I can tell the hon. Member that there was an increase in the current year; it is up to £5 million. Last year, it was £4 million and the year before £3 million. I have increased the allocation in each of the last two years, and I shall be discussing with the authorities in the autumn the amount for minor works.

asked the Minister of Education if she has now decided to urge local education authorities to carry out more work of maintaining, repairing and bringing up-to-date the older schools.

So far as maintenance and repairs are concerned, I do not think it necessary to add anything to what has been said in my Department's reply to the Select Committee on Estimates—published as their Tenth Report. So far as capital improvements are concerned, I would refer to the reply which I have just given the hon. Member.

Is it not a fact that Her Majesty's Inspectors, in their reports on schools, very frequently strongly criticise the school buildings? When the right hon. Lady receives such a report what action does she take on it?

Certain action has been taken, and as I have said in my reply, and as was stated in the reply to the Select Committee, if I find that local authorities are not doing what they are responsible for doing—keeping their schools in proper repair—I shall not hesitate to take further action.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Education if, in view of the Report of the Select Committee on Estimates on schools, she is arranging for a greater allocation of building resources for schools in the coming year.

As my detailed discussions with local education authorities are not complete, I cannot yet say what will be the total volume of school building work that I shall be able to authorise for getting started in 1954–55. I can, however, already say that it will be a larger total than was authorised for starting in 1953–54.

asked the Minister of Education why she refused to approve the building of five of the eight schools included in the Leicester Education Committee's building programme for 1952–53, three out of the six in the 1953–54 programme and four out of the seven in the 1954–55 programme; and if she will reconsider these decisions owing to the increasing shortage of school places which will result from the curtailment of the building of new schools.

With regard to the 1952–53 programme, I approved so much new school building as I considered necessary to meet the minimum needs set out in Circular 245. With regard to the 1953–54 programme, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 23rd July. I am considering a recent request from the authority to review their 1954–55 programme.

Is the Minister aware that the 4,000 places to which she referred in a previous answer to me are not adequate to cover the needs of children requiring school places? Is she aware that there was a large increase in the birthrate from 1944 to 1948, and that there are about 2,150 children who will not be provided for, and who will have to travel a considerable distance to get to school? Will she reconsider this matter, which is a serious one in Leicester?

I am considering the recent request from the authority about the 1954–55 programme but in some cases, as is laid down in Circular 245, if there is room in neighbouring schools transport must be provided to take these children to those schools.

Is the Minister in favour of the imposition of a colour bar in those schools, and, if not, why did she not have the courage to speak out in answering the previous Question?

I have the courage to speak, but, at the same time, when I am asked about the recognition of efficiency I must stick to my statutory duties. I object to the colour bar, but that has nothing to do with efficiency of education.

asked the Minister of Education why she has refused permission to the Leicester education authority to proceed with the proposal to build the Overdale Road junior school; and if she will reconsider the position, in view of the need for junior school places in this area of Leicester.

On the first part of this Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner) on 23rd July. I am considering a recent request by the local education authority that I should review their 1954–55 programme, in which they proposed to build the Overdale Road School.

Will the Minister bear in mind that the 480 children for whom this school was to cater will now have to be scattered over a wide area, which will involve transport and considerable expense, and that in Leicester generally the position is such that there is overcrowding in almost all schools? Does the right hon. Lady not realise that there is a limit even to the number of sardines one can get into a tin?

I have already informed the hon. Gentleman that I am discussing this proposal with the authority.

asked the Minister of Education which education authorities besides Radnorshire have been informed that they are not to be allowed to undertake any new school building in the ensuing year.

I think it likely that when all authorities' programmes for 1954 have been settled there will be, in addition to Radnorshire, five Welsh and about 16 English authorities with no school building programme for that year. Of these, four did not ask to undertake any new building in 1954.

Is the Minister aware that the announcement of the programme, or rather lack of programme, in Radnorshire has been a shock to Wales and that if there are to be other authorities who are not to build any schools there will be still further shocks? Is she aware that it is most disturbing to those authorities who have asked to be allowed to build schools and have been refused? How does she square this with the suggestion that the school building programme is not being thwarted in any way?

The school building programme is being increased, and the number of new starts is being increased. But, as I think the hon. Lady will agree, these new schools must go where there exists the greatest need, where there is an increase in the number of children going to school, and where there are more housing estates.

asked the Minister of Education in which year's programme it is contemplated that new schools at Millbrook, Stalybridge, and Newton, Hyde, are to be included.

Although the Cheshire local education authority did not ask me to include in their 1954–55 programme schools at either of these places, I thought it wise to include a primary school for Newton, Hyde, in the reserve list to that programme. I cannot say when it will be possible to authorise a new school at Millbrook. Stalybridge.

While thanking the Minister for the fact that there is some hope in the foreseeable future, at any rate at Newton, Hyde, may I ask whether she thinks it is not time that this area of Cheshire was given more generous treatment? Would the right hon. Lady agree that the overcrowded conditions and the lack of amenities in these two schools are as bad as anywhere in the country? Is it not a fact that the new school at Newton Hyde would have been built in 1950 but for the difficulties about a site, and would definitely have been started in December, 1951, if she had not postponed all school building?

No, I think we have a better arrangement. As I have pointed out to the hon. Gentleman, although the Cheshire local authority did not ask me to do so I have put one school into the reserve building programme so that we may even get it during this next building year.

The only hope we have is that it will be this century.

asked the Minister of Education why permission to include the proposed modern secondary school at Penley, in the building programme for next year, has been refused.

Because there is room for the children from this neighbourhood in existing schools.

Is the Minister aware that the children from this rural district have to go into three different counties for their secondary schooling and that they have no community life in the rural district at the secondary school stage? Would she agree that the Flintshire Education Authority, through this and other cuts in their programme, have been penalised because they were quick off the mark with their earlier school building?

I do not think they have been penalised. Having got on with their earlier school building they got better conditions for their children. I agree that the secondary school children have to go outside the county, but I think the hon. Lady will agree that if there are places in schools in the neighbourhood we should use them.

Can the right hon. Lady say how her answers to Questions Nos. 23, 24, 27, 30, 35 and 36 are in keeping with the speech she made in the recent debate on school building?

They are entirely in keeping. The numbers of places provided this year and last year are greater than ever before. More starts are being made and more schools are being completed.

Will the right hon. Lady say how it is in keeping with the Government's agricultural programme to refuse to build schools in counties like Radnorshire and Flintshire?

In Flint, the children are all provided with places, but in certain cases the secondary school is over the border. Where there is room in such a school which is just over the border of one local authority, I think the right hon. Gentleman will agree that it is far better that the places should be used.

asked the Minister of Education when the Homefields Preparatory School, Cheam, Surrey, was last visited by Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools; and what report was received by her.

Homefield School was last inspected in May, 1932. The report indicated that the standard of work was satisfactory, and the school was placed upon the list of preparatory schools recognised by the Board as efficient.

In view of the fact that this school now openly practices a colour bar, and that a child has been refused admission because its parents are Indian and English, will the Minister now withdraw recognition, because that sort of action is alien to the whole principle on which our education services are founded?

I think that the hon. Member is asking me to answer his next Question, No. 26.

That is another Question.

asked the Minister of Education what account she takes of the existence of a colour bar in deciding whether to recognise an independent preparatory school.

When deciding whether to recognise a school as efficient under rule 16 the question is whether it provides a suitable education of a sufficiently high standard in adequate premises for the pupils who are attending it.

Is the Minister aware that if the school referred to in my previous Question is creating social prigs, if it is encouraging a colour bar, it cannot be satisfactory to decent people; and will she not recognise that the least she can do is to give public expression to the offence which this headmaster has created?

As Minister of Education, I think I must keep to what is the statutory duty of the Minister on this subject of recognition. The very fact that the hon. Gentleman has drawn attention to this matter will bring it more to the notice of the public, but it is clear that the Minister of Education has no authority to say who should be admitted to a school. The recognition of efficiency is of efficiency in the actual education provided.

Whatever may be the Minister's statutory duty, will she not express to the headmaster her own and the Government's disapproval of his action?

I think I should have to look into that further, because the Minister has no control over independent schools as to who are admitted. We must be clear about this: the actual recognition of efficiency that is being discussed is a recognition of efficiency as laid down very clearly in the rules as to the recognition of efficiency. I do not think that I can go beyond what is laid upon me.

Will the Minister not do what I am sure the whole House and the country would desire her to do—withdraw recognition from this school?

May I try to make it plain to the right hon. Gentleman? All I can do as Minister of Education is to recognise as efficient the educational standard in the school. I have looked into this very carefully and that is the only power I have. If the education comes up to standard, and if there are adequate premises, that is where my responsibility for recognition of efficiency begins and ends.

In view of the unsatisfactory and disturbing nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that at the earliest possible moment I shall seek to raise this matter in the House.

asked the Minister of Education if she will encourage the Staffordshire County education authority to maintain the bus services for the children to their schools from the villages of Harriseahead, Mow Cop, Baddeley Green and Tean in the Leek constituency; and what instructions she has given to the education authority about these services.

As the hon. Member is aware, I do not in present circumstances consider it justifiable, generally speaking, that children who live within statutory walking distance from school should be conveyed there free of charge. I recognise, however, that there are circumstances in which exceptions should be made and I am raising no objection to the Staffordshire local education authority's proposal to reinstate the former transport facilities in the Mow Cop—Harriseahead and Baddeley Edge districts. The same considerations do not apply in the Tean district.

While thanking the right hon. Lady for that reply, may I ask whether the same considerations apply to the Biddulph Moor district? Is she aware that this is an exceptionally beautiful part of North Staffordshire? If she would like to hack her way through the country lanes there she would realise that the children cannot walk these distances. I should be delighted to invite her to dinner, if she would come along.

I do not know whether I should be in order in accepting the hon. Gentleman's invitation, but I can at least inform him that where there are exceptional difficulties free transport is allowed; but each case has to be examined on its merits.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the public concern at the outbreak of food poisoning from school centre meals; what inquiries are being made; what information has so far resulted; and what precautions are likely to be introduced to obviate further trouble when the schools reassemble after the summer holidays.

Yes, Sir. I would refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton). The school canteens, which are my concern, do not appear to have been responsible for these outbreaks by any neglect of proper precautions in the preparation or serving of food. I am awaiting the results of the inquiries which are being made by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health as to the origin of the poisoning.

Are cold storage facilities provided in schools in which large-scale catering is undertaken?

Yes, most certainly.

asked the Minister of Education how many comprehensive schools are already in being; and how many are likely to be in use in the next two years.

There are eleven comprehensive or similar schools in England and Wales. Of the 14 such schools or instalments of schools which were under construction on 30th April last, I am informed that, given no delay in building, nine will probably be ready for occupation by September, 1955.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that the selection of children of 11 years of age for different types of school causes greater dissatisfaction among parents than any other educational problem? What is she doing to speed up the building of schools that will obviate this difficulty?

From what I have heard of the opinions of parents what they dislike more is the idea of their children going into comprehensive schools.

Sheer prejudice.

asked the Minister of Education how many secondary technical schools admit children at 10 and 11 years of age.

Eighty-seven.

Can the Minister say how it is decided that at 10 or 11 years of age children have technical ability? Does not she consider that that is much too young an age for an irrevocable decision to be taken that a child should go in for a technical career?

The hon. Lady is probably aware that these secondary technical schools give a good and wide general education. No doubt she will remember the amendment, in 1948, of the 1944 Act, which gave local authorities wider scope for arranging transfers for secondary education. That brought the age down to 10 years 6 months.

asked the Minister of Education how many new secondary school places are to be provided in 1953 and 1954, respectively.

I estimate that about 70,000 new secondary school places will be brought into use during 1953. I cannot yet give an estimate for 1954, but I expect that the figure will be higher than in 1953.

Is the Minister aware that what is called the post-war bulge in school population will move up to the secondary schools by 1955 and 1956? Can she give an assurance that she can meet the demand for places in those years, because instead of 70,000 there will be nearer 150,000 or 200,000 places wanted then?

The real pressure will come after 1957—about 1958. The peak in the junior schools will be in 1957. We are looking into this matter. The number of secondary places in major school building projects started in the financial year 1952–53 was 74,445. The number of secondary places in major school building projects to be started in the financial year 1953–54 is 128,830.

The Minister said that the bulge will move up in 1957. Is not she aware that if a child was born in 1944 that child will be 11 in 1955? It is imperative to provide accommodation for that year.

If I may use jargon that I have heard, the peak of the bulge will not be in the secondary schools until 1958.

asked the Minister of Education when she will be able to begin the reorganisation of all-age schools.

As a result of the provision of new secondary schools in successive building programmes the gradual reorganisation of all-age schools will continue. I cannot foresee when it will be possible to authorise building projects designed for this purpose alone.

Is the right hon. Lady not aware that about a million children between the ages of five and 15 are in these all-age schools, and that in Warwickshire and many other counties the position is a mockery? Can she give an assurance that she will begin building secondary modern schools in local areas in these counties?

I know of the difficulty. It is a result of the policy of both Governments to build new schools and not to reorganise; but I assure the hon. Gentleman that the situation is improving. On 1st January, 1953, in the all-age schools there was 14·3 per cent. of the school population aged 13. Last year the figure was 15·8 per cent. and in January, 1951, it was 16·19 per cent., so there is an improvement.

asked the Minister of Education if she has read the particulars which have been sent to her regarding subversive activities in the teaching profession; and if she will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government in this matter.

I received a communication from my hon. Friend yesterday, and I shall be replying to it as soon as possible. As a matter of general policy, I should take a serious view of any case where a teacher was found to be using his position to propagate his political views in school.

As the whole free world is straining every nerve to overcome the menace of Communism will the Minister, if she cannot tell the local education authorities what to do, take this serious matter to Cabinet level?

My attention has been drawn to this matter several times by the hon. Member. Always, when I am considering it, what I want to know of, and what I should be pleased to receive from him, is a definite case of any teacher using his position in school to propagate his political views. We should take a very serious view of that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will now review the imprisonment of Chief P. Sekgoma and the imprisonment of others in Bechuanaland arrested at the same time in order to create a better psychological atmosphere under Rasebolai's appointment as Native Authority.

No, Sir. These persons, of whom none are chiefs, were found guilty of most serious criminal charges, namely, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and public violence, arising out of grave disorders in which three policemen, unfortunately, lost their lives.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman continue to keep this matter under review? Does he not think that if a little less harsh treatment is meted out we might get a better atmosphere?

I do not believe that a better psychological atmosphere would be brought about at this stage by releasing these men, who were guilty of very serious offences.

Is not it a fact that conditions in Bechuanaland have much improved since the appointment of Rasebolai?

Yes, Sir. That is so.

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman remember saying, when the announcement of the new Native Authority was made, that it was intended that the administration should be on broad and tolerant lines? Would not one of the first steps towards this be the release of these prisoners?

I do not agree with the hon. Member. The administration is on broad and tolerant lines, but it would not be an example of such breadth and tolerance to reprieve these men.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I shall exercise my prerogative and raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will say when Lord Hailey's Report on the High Commission Territories is to be published.

The Report is being published today by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.