§ MR. BERESFORD HOPE(for Mr. J. G. TALBOT) asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether his attention has been called to the conviction at the Uxbridge Petty Sessions, of Frederick Thorpe, a member of the Harmondsworth School Board, for having been drunk and disorderly, and using the most vile language; whether the defendant still remains a member of the School Board; and, whether he will take any steps to remove the scandal and to prevent the recurrence of similar scandals?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThe fact of Frederick Thorpe's conviction has been notified to the Education Department by the four other members of the Harmondsworth School Board; but we have no power under the Statute to declare the seat vacant, except for prolonged absence, bankruptcy, or imprisonment for crime. There can be no doubt that the member in question is totally unfit to continue a member of the Board, or to have any part in the control of teachers in the conduct of schools. If, as we understand, the other members of the Board find it impossible to act with Mr. Thorpe, the Department has the means, and will certainly put them in force, of relieving the Board from their difficulties. The proper solution would be for Mr. Thorpe to resign.