§ MR. CALDWELL (Glasgow, St. Rollox)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been, called to the case of the children of Mrs. Bone (widow), who, although they have been attending Thomson Street School, under the School Board for Glasgow, for years, had, a fortnight ago, their school books taken from them by the master, and were told to go to David Street School, which is much further from their residence than Thomson Street School; whether he is aware that Mrs. Bone refused to send the children to David Street School, and that, the children were kept at home; whether the children have since been re-instated in Thomson Street School; and, if so, when, and why; and under what authority the Glasgow School Board acted in thus expelling the children from Thomson Street School?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON, Buteshire)Since receiving-yesterday notice of the hon. Member's question the Glasgow School Board have been communicated with on the case raised therein. My information is that on account of the crowded state of Thomson Street School the master was instructed to ascertain which children resided nearer to other schools where there might be room for them. Understanding that Mrs. Bone was engaged all day, he sent a message by one of the children asking whether it would be agreeable to her to send them to the David Street School, which, I am informed, is not further from her residence. He asked at the same time to see the books of one of the children, so that such new books as might be necessary might be supplied to them. This occurred on Wednesday, the 12th. of February. On Friday, the 14th, Mrs. Bone stated that she preferred the children to remain in Thomson Street School, and they have attended there since that day.