§ MR. ASSHETON CROSSasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether he has any objection to alter the Revised Code, Article 19, so as to render it unnecessary that the 250 attendances should all be at the same school in any case where it be proved to the satisfaction of the Council that a scholar has attended more schools than one in consequence of the bonâ fide removal of his parents?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, he had very attentively considered the question; but the Department would feel it almost impossible to make the change. He thought he could convince the hon. Gentleman that it would be out of their power to make any arrangement by which the attendance of the scholar, if transferred from one school to another, could be taken into account. There were two difficulties in the way. In the first place, although it was very much to the credit of English managers and schoolmasters that they could be relied upon, yet in some cases there was necessity for inquiries which would be made more difficult by this proposition. And then it would be exceedingly hard to know how to apportion the grants between the schools. Besides this, a possible change of school was considered in making the grant, and an increase of 50 per cent was given in consequence for 250 attendances. It would be necessary to re-consider the money grant if the number of attendances was diminished.
MR. GATHORNE HARDYasked, When the Returns which he had moved, for on this subject will be circulated; and whether care will not be taken that the Revised Code shall not come into full operation until this question has been discussed?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERreplied, that the Returns had left the Department the very morning after the right hon. Gentleman had moved for them, and they would be circulated as soon as possible. With regard to the second part of the Question, the Act of Parliament clearly laid down that one month was the time required for the Code to lie on the Table before it should be regarded as approved. Personally, he would be glad of an opportunity of explaining any portions of the Code, and as two or three points would be raised to-morrow he trusted he would then have that opportunity.