asked the Minister for Education whether he will consult with the educational authorities, in connection with the scheme for secondary education, regarding the feasibility of abolishing school uniforms which impose considerable expense on parents of schoolgoing children.

The question of school uniforms is primarily a matter between the conductors of the schools and the parents concerned. I do not feel that I would be warranted in making any representations in regard to the matter as I consider that the arguments in favour of school uniforms are at least as strong as those against. The wearing of the same form of dress by all pupils ensures that at least in this regard no odious comparisons can be made as between one pupil and another. Furthermore I do not see why it should not be possible to arrange that the school uniforms would be such as to keep the expense involved in purchasing them at a minimum.

I accept the Minister's statement. Would he agree that there is an odious compulsion involved in having to pay something like £30 for a uniform and that this is a compulsion no such parent can avoid? If we are to have free secondary education in as many aspects as possible, surely this is an odious compulsion on low-income parents? It is a mad race and it should be ended.

It might not be appreciated that these schools are still private institutions, privately-owned. My personal opinion is that some shops are getting an exclusive contract from certain schools. I feel it would be desirable not to have this monopoly. If the monopoly did not exist—which it does in certain cases—I think fairer competition would result.

I am not asking the Minister to intervene in a miniskirt debate and so on, but I should be glad if he would use his influence to bring some sanity to this rather crazy set-up in which parents are compelled to involve themselves in this somewhat useless expenditure.