HC Deb 25 February 1879 vol 243 cc1751-2
MR. W. E. FORSTER

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, Whether the guardians of an Union have power to pay for the maintenance of a child sent to an Industrial School upon complaint made by the local authority of a school district not having a School Board; and, if not, how in such case sec. 12 of the Education Act of 1876 can be carried out?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

Sir, some doubt has arisen whether the local authority, being a school attendance committee and having sent a child to a certified school, has power, with consent of guardians, to pay for the maintenance of the child. Assuming that they have not the power to pay, the prison authority would in such a case be the disbursing authority. We propose, however, as the point is of some importance, to refer it to such legal authority as will settle the case one way or another.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

asked, Whether, in case the prison authority had the power, the resolution of the guardians or school attendance committee would bind the prison authority?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

said, he could not answer that Question; but it would be referred to the legal authority.