§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether his attention has been called to a statement in the Star newspaper, that Miss Caroline Cox, a nailmaker of Halesowen, now 15 years of age, is unable to say her alphabet; that she left school at 12 without passing any examination; and, that she is still without the opportunity of acquiring the most rudimentary education; whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into this statement; and whether there is an ample provision of night schools in the Dudley district?
§ * SIR W. HART DYKEI know nothing of the case to which the hon. Member refers. If he can procure some more definite information as to the residence and antecedents of this young lady, I will endeavour to obtain some information from the local authorities. Meanwhile I find the place mentioned in the question is not in the Dudley district.
§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAMIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the village of Halesowen, where this young lady came from, is only a mile and a half outside the Dudley district?
§ MR. BROOKE ROBINSON (Dudley)As I know something of Dudley, I am able to say that Halesowen is in no way under the control of the local authorities of Dudley.