HC Deb 16 June 1882 vol 270 cc1402-3
DR. CAMERON

asked the Vice President of the Council, Whether his attention has been called to a notice in Gaelic and English, dated Chamberlain's Office, Stornoway, March 8th, and circulated among the crofters of the Island of Lewis, to the effect That children who do not regularly attend school and make up the requisite number of attendances, and be present at the examination of the school, put the ratepayers and the School Board of the parish to the loss of the Government grant; and that therefore Children once entered on the admission register of the school, who fail to make up the requisite number of attendances, or who are not present at the examination of the school this year, their parents will have to pay with their first rent the sum of 18s. for each child who may thus fail in attendance; and, whether the same gentleman who is Chamberlain of Lewis is also Chairman of all the School Boards in the island; and, if so, whether the Education Department will take any steps in the matter?

MR. MUNDELLA

I have seen the notice to which the hon. Member refers, and as it is a question between landlord and tenant, and not between the Department and the school board, I have no right to interfere. I understand that the Chamberlain has been re-elected Chairman of the four school hoards since the issue of this notice, and that his sole object in issuing it was to insure regularity of attendance, and to prevent loss to the ratepayers through absence of children on the day of inspection. I understand that any fines inflicted will he paid into the school fund; but I hope the local authorities (who have been very remiss hitherto) will so discharge their functions as to render such fines unnecessary.