§ MR. HERBERT GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether he has the power to compel the managers of schools in receipt of Parliamentary Grants to place the rooms of such schools at the disposal of Parliamentary candidates, on convenient occasions, for the purpose of holding political meetings; and, if so, whether he will put such powers in force?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT (Sir LYON PLAYFAIR) (Leeds, S.)The Education Department has no power to compel managers to place the schools at the disposal of Parliamentary candidates. This rests at their own discretion, provided that they do not transgress Section 20 of the Corrupt Practices Act, 1883, which prohibits them from hiring the school, and that they do not contravene clauses which are sometimes in the trust deeds of the school.