DR. CAMERONasked the Vice President of the Council, How much money levied by the Chamberlain of Lewis, as an addition to their rents, upon crofters whose children had failed to earn the Government Grant, had been handed to the different School Boards of that Island; and, whether, considering that the levy of eighteen shillings per defaulting child as an addition on rent is illegal, he will instruct the School Boards to return to their respective owners whatever sums they have received from this source?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThe notice from the Chamberlain of Lewis was dated the 8th of March last, since which date no grant has been paid to any school in Lewis, and, consequently, no loss can have accrued to the school boards. If the levy referred to is illegal—as to which I can offer no opinion—it may be resisted by ordinary process of law. The Department has no information as to any payment to the school board, nor has it power to order a school board to refund any sum, from whatever source received.