HC Deb 02 May 1889 vol 335 cc970-1
MR. JEFFREYS (Hants,) Basingstoke

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether, in view of the difficulties which an immediate application of Clause 85 in the New Code would cause to voluntary schools (many of which have been built or enlarged with the approval of the Education Department to give an area of eight square feet to each child), the increased area of ten square feet will be required in existing schools or in new buildings only; and whether a difference could be made in the area required for country schools as compared with those in large towns.

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (Sir W. HART DYKE,) Kent, Dartford

There has never been any intention to give immediate application to Article 85 A in the New Code so far as existing schools are concerned, and in cases in which the Department has sanctioned a certain amount of accommodation for a certain number of scholars such arrangements will not be disturbed. I fear that such an arrangement as indicated in the last paragraph could not well be made.

MR. J. MORE (Shropshire, Ludlow)

May I ask whether in all cases the Board Schools will be treated on the same lines as the voluntary schools?

SIR W. HARE DYKE

I cannot answer that question at this moment.

MR. SAMUELSON (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)

asked the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he would lay upon the Table of the House a statement of the objects intended to he effected by the various changes introduced into the Code and Schedule of 1889, as set forth in the "Appendix of Articles modified and new Articles," and to what extent these changes carry out the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Elementary Education.

SIR W. HART DYKE

The object of the proposed alterations is simply to endeavour to carry into effect many of the changes advocated both by the majority and minority report of the late Commission. How far these objects have been attained is a matter which will be best elucidated by debate in this House.