HC Deb 15 February 1881 vol 258 c887
SIR HENRY PEEK

asked the Vice President of the Council, Whether, having regard to the urgent need of increased provision for middle class education of the children of the clerks, warehousemen, and small traders of the Metropolis, the Government will issue a special Commission to re-organise the charities of the city, in accordance with the recommendations of the Duke of Northumberland's Commission?

MR. MUNDELLA

Sir, there can be no doubt that the City Charities are, in many instances, grossly misapplied, and that their usefulness might be largely and advantageously extended in the direction indicated by the hon. Baronet. Nothing, however, can be done without further legislation. The Education Department has already communicated with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and the Charity Commissioners on the subject; and I hope that some measure will be devised to improve and extend the usefulness of those Charities. That, however, must depend on the state of Public Business.