§ Sir R. PAGET (Somerset, Wells)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education if his attention has been directed to the case of the public elementary school at Kelston, Somerset, where a room, hitherto allowed by the Department to be used, is no longer to be recognised as supplying school accommodation, and where, in consequence, a class-room will have to be provided; if be is aware that this school, with an average attendance of 29 scholars, has only an endowment of £3 per annum, and is supported by voluntary subscriptions to the extent of £25 a year; and that the balance credit of the school accounts, amounting to about £50, is the result of many years' careful saving, with the express object of providing a fund available for special improvement or repair; and if, under the circumstances, he will be good enough to reconsider the recent decision of the Department, by which the managers of the school in question have this year been refused the special grants under Articles 104 and 105, solely on the ground of the financial state of the school?
§ The VICE PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Acland,) York, W.R., RotherhamThe room no longer recognised at this school, though returned by the managers as a class-room, was really the kitchen of the mistress's house, and was furnished as such. No demand has been made for the provision of a class-room. The grants under Articles 174 and 105 of the Code were meant to aid small schools which could not otherwise meet their current expenses, and not to be saved up and used as a building fund for enlargements; but I will look into this case with the view of considering whether, in the circumstances, either or both of the grants may be continued.
§ SIR R. PAGETBut did not the Department allow the grant in 1891?
§ MR. ACLANDYes; but the room is now furnished as a kitchen. I will, however, make further inquiry.