Miss Rathbone:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education, whether he is aware that the problem of the leisure of the adolescent is becoming acute in London and other evacuated areas, owing to temporary unemployment, dark evenings, and absence of parents from the home, and that no gathering of persons is allowed in these areas except in licensed premises; and whether he will consider recommencing educational and recreational classes under the local authorities in various available buildings, with due regard to the proximity of suitable air-raid shelters.

My noble Friend is aware of the conditions referred to, and notice will be given in the immediate future authorising under certain conditions the opening, in evacuation areas, of technical institutions, clubs and the like in order to make provision for the adolescent.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider getting out a scheme for the encouragement of drama and theatre entertainments of a suitable character for educational and entertainment purposes?

All these and a great many other considerations will be borne in mind in dealing with the question of the education of young people.

Will my hon. Friend interpret the word "technical" very widely? The question is educational, and the word "technical" will not cover very many desirable institutions in London.

I said in my answer "technical institutions, clubs and the like," and that is meant to include every kind of provision for young people between 14 and 18 to help in their education and recreation.

Does that cover adults from 18 upwards like the working men's college and evening institutes?

Evening institutes, certainly. The question deals with adolescents. The provision for adults is a separate question which is being examined at the present moment.

Mr. Creech Jones:

Is it proposed to alter the adult education regulations?

It is not proposed at the moment, but I take it that a great many regulations will have to be altered in the course of the next year.

Miss Rathbone:

Can the hon. Gentleman give us any idea of the date when the reopening will take place?

I would rather not give an exact date, but the matter is being examined.