§ MR. MACLURE (Lancashire, S.E., Stretford)asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether it is the practice "according to the present system of the Education Department," even in cases where established denominational schools are willing to comply with the requirements of the Department in every particular, and also in cases where responsible persons are willing to provide suitable accommodation equally conformable to the regulations, to grant School Boards the authority to erect schools at the expense of the ratepayers; and, whether he will undertake that the Department will defer their consent to such an authority being given, until the Report of the Royal Commission on Elementary Education has been presented?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)I understand the Question of the hon. Member to apply only to a district where a School Board has been set up, In such case, as I have before stated, the primary duty of supplying further accommodation, if needed, is imposed by Statute 334 upon the School Board; and the Department are advised that they cannot insist upon the School Board taking into consideration the accommodation offered by any voluntary body. This subject is under the consideration of the Royal Commission; and, pending their Report, it would not be expedient to alter the existing law.