§ MR. J. S. HARDYasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether he intends to compel parishes to provide school accommodation for children between three and five years of age, when ample accommodation already exists, or is about to be provided, for all children exceeding five years, without resorting to a rate?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERsaid, in reply, that no age was fixed in the Elementary Education Act for providing school accommodation. When the Bill was passing through the House he stated that he thought the requirements of the Department must be in some measure dependent on the circumstances of each locality, and that was the answer he had to give to the Question of the hon. Member. If the Department considered there was a deficiency, the accommodation notice would be sent to such districts, and they would have an opportunity afforded them of disputing that deficiency. The Act did not settle the question of compulsory accommodation. He should be sorry to give the impression that he did not think school accommodation should be provided for infants from three to five. Attendance began to count under the code at three. But if ample accommodation was provided in a district for all children above five, it would probably be found that those between three and five were also provided for.