HC Deb 03 July 1884 vol 289 cc1867-9
MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether the School Board of the parish of Yetminster have passed a resolution to the effect that there is no necessity for building a new school because the present school, conducted under voluntary management, is sufficient for the requirements of the parish, and have asked for a public inquiry; whether the Department has declined to grant an inquiry on the ground that the school, being a voluntary school, was proof of its insufficiency for the purposes of elementary education in a parish where there was a School Board; and, whether, under the circumstances, he will now grant an inquiry, and if the present accommodation is found to be "sufficient, efficient, and suitable," he will refrain from insisting that an additional school shall be built at the cost and against the wishes of the ratepayers and the local authority?

MR. MUNDELLA

A School Board was set up for the parish of Yetminster on the application of the Vicar and Managers of the Church of England School, who [declared their inability to carry it on owing to the lack of local support. They desired to transfer the school to the School Board, and steps were taken with this object. Before these were completed the Vicar died, and the new Vicar did not proceed with the transfer of the school, and wished to carry it on as a Voluntary School, and the School Board passed the resolution referred to. These are the facts of the case, and there is no question for public inquiry. The question is whether the duty of supplying the necessary School accommodation devolves upon the school Board which has been set up for the purpose, and this question has been referred to the Law Officers of the Crown.

MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether it is a fact that the School Board of the parish of Llansilin, in the county of Denbigh, demanded a a public inquiry in a case where the parish was aggrieved by a decision of the Educational Department, and that the Department offered to institute an inquiry only on the condition that each member of the Llansilin School Board should sign a bond for £300 to cover the expenses of the inquiry; and, whether there is any section of any Statute which gives the Department authority to insist on such a condition from members of a School Board?

MR. MUNDELLA

The Department has followed the course described in the hon. Member's Question. They are advised that this course is in accordance with section 73 (4) of the Elementary Education Act of 1870, and is in conformity with the practice of the Department. I have already explained, in answer to a previous Question, that £300 is a mere nominal sum.

SIR MASSEY LOPES

asked whether, in a similar case, the Department had not recently officially intimated that a bond for £50 would be sufficient?

MR. MUNDELLA

said, the amount of the required indemnity would depend on the size of the parish and the nature of the inquiry. The cost in a town would differ from that in rural districts.

SIR MASSEY LOPES

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman, would make £50 the sum for the future in rural parishes?

MR. MUNDELLA

said, he would consider the matter.