§ MR. SUMMERS (Huddersfield)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he can inform the House what is the number of voluntary schools in England and Wales without any voluntary subscriptions; and what is the number of such schools in which the voluntary subscriptions do not exceed £10 per annum?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Sir W. HART DYKE,) Kent, DartfordThe hon. Member appears to be unaware that a Return was recently presented to Parliament on the Motion of the right hon. Member for Sheffield, which gives the particulars mentioned in the Question for every school in England and Wales; and if he has time to examine the Returns carefully, he will see that such schools bear but a very small proportion to the total number. I may add that it would be misleading to publish a summary of this information, as in many cases endowments take the place of voluntary subscriptions, and subscriptions themselves vary from year 1184 to year, in accordance with the needs of schools.
§ MR. SUMMERSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Returns show that there are 500 voluntary schools without any contribution, and that the majority are without the slightest contribution? Will the right hon. Gentleman see that an analysis of the Returns is made?
§ SIR W. HART DYKEIt appears from the hon. Member's statement that he has analysed the Return for himself.
§ MR. SUMMERSAs the subject is of great importance in connection with the Education Bill, I hope the right hon. Gentleman will have the analyses submitted to Parliament.