§ MR. T. LEGH () Lancashire, S.W., NewtonI beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education if he will state the exact meaning attached by the Education Department to the words "educational benefit" in Section 4 of the Elementary Education Act of 1891?
§ * THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Mr. ACLAND,) York, W.R., RotherhamI cannot take upon myself to give any further definition of the words used in the Act of Parliament referred to. The hon. Member is aware that the schools which come under this section are very few in number. I think each case must be settled on its merits, in accordance with a reasonable interpretation of the question to be decided—namely, whether the charging of fees or the increase of fees is, or is not, for the educational benefit of a particular district.
§ MR. BARTLEY () Islington, N.May I ask whether it is a fact that when a higher fee is charged in some schools in a district it is generally for higher-class instruction? Would not that be regarded as "educational benefit" under the section?
§ * MR. ACLANDThe question of educational benefit does not rest on that alone; and I am bound to say that the example set by Birmingham, in making its two admirable higher-grade schools free, cannot but be considered as for the educational benefit of the inhabitants of that town.
§ MR. BARTLEYDoes not this clause evidently contemplate that a higher fee shall be charged in some cases, and, therefore, give the Vice President discretion to permit it?
§ * MR. ACLANDThere is no question of permitting schools now in existence. The point only arises in the case of proposed new arrangements as to schools.