Mrs. Manning:

asked the Minister of Education if he will announce the raising of the school-leaving age to 16 years and the introduction of county colleges by 1952 at the latest.

No, Sir. I am unable to announce any date by which the draft Order in Council for raising 'he school age to 16 will be laid before Parliament and attendance at county colleges made compulsory.

Mrs. Manning:

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that this would be one of the ways in which the young men from the Forces who are supposed to be in excess of requirements would be reassured that there will be posts for them?

We are very well aware of this possible way of using in the field of education these people who are coming out of the Forces.

If my hon. Friend is aware of that but, at the same time, turns it down, could he see that the recruitment of teachers by sex, qualification and numbers has a closer relation to the accommodation which is available and to the number of pupils?

I am not going to commit my right hon. Friend in turning this particular matter down but, if it is turned down, this will be taken into consideration.