HC Deb 26 November 1888 vol 331 cc120-1
SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Dublin Co., S.)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, If it is true that in the Island of St. Lucia there is only school accommodation for 6½ per cent of the population, and that the teaching staff is utterly inadequate to the requirements of the public; if it is also true that the inhabitants of St. Lucia have repeatedly asked for more schools and more teaching, and that they have offered voluntarily to tax themselves to provide education for their children; and, if so, why the Government have not acceded to their repeated requests; and, whether there is any likelihood of their doing so?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)

It appears to be substantially true that there is school accommodation in St. Lucia for only about 7 per cent of the population, and that the staff is inadequate for the teaching of all the children of school age. The Secretary of State is not aware that the inhabitants have repeatedly asked for more schools, or have offered to tax themselves to provide education for their children. The question of making better provision for elementary education in St. Lucia is under the consideration of the Governor of the Windward Islands, and he will be asked for an early Report.