§ MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)I beg to ask the hon. Member for Penrith (Mr. J. W. Lowther), as a Charity Commissioner, whether he is aware that, although under a scheme of the 9th February, 1883, for regulating the Yelvertoft Educational Charity, as varied by a scheme of the 21st February, 1890, the Trustees may let the building formerly used as a school, and are directed to appropriate the same, if not let, for the promotion of the education, instruction, or recreation of the poorer inhabit-ants' of Yelvertoft, this building has not been let and is not appropriated as directed, but is only used once a week for the practice of the church choir; whether he is aware that, although by the scheme the Trustees are empowered to make payments for children resident in Yelvertoft so long as they attend a public elementary school and satisfy the Trustees as to regularity in attendance, in January, 1891, the Trustees paid 30s. 750 to a girl who did not attend a public-elementary school between 22nd September and 10th November, 1890, and has not attended since 8th December, 1890; whether complaints have reached him that no teacher or child attending a Nonconformist Sunday School has ever received any payment for religious teaching, but that children attending the Church Sunday School receive prizes from the Trustees every year, and that the teacher in such school receives £10 a year out of the net annual income of the Charity of about £25; whether the Trustees have, in accordance with the request which was made to them by the Commissioners some weeks ago, sent in the accounts of the Charity for 1890; and whether the Commissioners will direct a public inquiry at Yelvertoft by one of their Inspectors?
MR. J. W. LOWTHER (Cumberland, Penrith)The Commissioners are informed that the old school-room of the Yelvertoft Educational Charity is regularly used for Sunday School, and also has for a considerable time been used as a parish reading-room, and for other purposes, including choir practice and vestry meetings. Permission to use the building has never been refused. As to the second paragraph—
Whether, although the Trustees are empowered to make payments for children resident in Yelvertoft so long as they attend a public elementary school, and satisfy the Trustees as to regularity and attendance, in January, 1891, the Trustees paid 30s. to a girl who did not attend a public elementary school between September 22 and November 10, 1890, and has not attended since December S, 1890 "—no such payment as that mentioned was made in January, 1891; but in December, 1890, a payment was made by the Trustees to the only child in the Board School who was qualified under Clause 31 (b.) of the scheme for the school-year ending March 31, 1890. No definite complaints have been, received respecting the payments for teachers or children for the promotion of instruction in religious knowledge. The accounts for 1890 have now been received. Should it appear desirable in the course of communication, the Commissioners are prepared to direct a local inquiry by an Assistant Commissioner.