§ SIR H. MAXWELL (Wigton)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether the payment of the grant to Stranraer Academy has been withheld because the number of pupils paying more than 9d. fee was very slightly in excess of the number allowed; whether the School Board have explained that it was their full intention to comply with the Rule, and that it was infringed only by pure inadvertence; and if, under the circumstances, some relaxation may be permitted?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. TREVELYAN, Glasgow, Bridgeton)In view of the ruling of the Committee on Public Accounts, the Education Department have no power to inquire into the circumstances under which the excess of fee occurred, or to relax the application of the Rule laid down on a matter which has been frequently under the consideration of that Committee, and on which its policy is clearly declared. I believe that this position of affairs has been communicated to the School Board by my hon. Friend the Member for South Ayrshire and other Members.