§ MR. CALDWELL (Glasgow, St. Rollox)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, having regard to the fact that Scotch Educational Schemes are not laid before and considered by a duly constituted meeting of the Scotch Education Department, but are considered and adjudicated upon by the Secretary for Scotland, the Government are prepared to bring in a Bill to amend the Educational Endowments (Scotland) 1743 Act, by substituting the Secretary for Scotland for the Scotch Education Department; or, whether the Government will take steps that the practice in future shall be made conformable to the existing law?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)All orders, decisions, and other acts of the Scotch Education Department are done by the authority of the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council on Education in Scotland, as indicated in the manner provided by Section 65 of the Education Act of 1872. The Secretary for Scotland is Vice President of that Committee; and as such is responsible, along with the Lord President, for the administration of the Department. There has been no change in the practice with respect to that administration, which is entirely in conformity with the existing law.
§ MR. CALDWELLasked, whether it was the fact that these schemes were considered only by the Vice President of the Council?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI can only tell the hon. Member what the facts of the case are—namely, that the schemes have been dealt with in the manner prescribed by law.