§ MR. L. FRY (Bristol, N.)asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, Whether the Education Department has taken any steps in pursuance of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Technical Instruction, with respect to grants in aid of Science Schools and Art Schools; and whether, having regard to the answer to a question in this House on this subject, given on the 17th May last by the then Vice President, he is able to state that such recommendations are likely to be carried into effect?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT (Sir WILLIAM HART DYKE) (Kent, Dartford)The Science and Art Department brought the matter before the Treasury in May last, and again in November, urging (1) the abolition of the restrictions by which building grants can only be made to Science Schools built either under the Public Libraries' Act or in connection with a School of Art; and (2) the increase of the limit to which both Science and Art building grants may be made up to a maximum of £800; but the Treasury were not convinced of the necessity for the proposed changes. The question forms part of the larger one as to the amount and method of the general encouragement that can be given to technical instruction, which is now engaging the careful attention of the Department.
§ MR. WOODALL (Hanley)Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he and his Colleagues will continue to urge on the Treasury the recommendations of their Predecessors?
§ SIR WILLIAM HART DYKEsaid, he should not be afraid of bringing the matter before the Treasury; but this was part of a very large question, which had to be considered as a whole before any decision could be come to.
§ MR. WOODALLgave Notice that on Monday or Tuesday he would put a further inquiry on the subject.