MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)In the absence of the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne, I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he is aware that the grant in respect of the Parochial Evening School (Ashton-under-Lyne), Session 1891–2, has not yet been received; whether he can state the reasons for this delay; whether it is the fact that letters from Mr. R. Bradley, the school manager, dated 29th June, 1893, 10th July, 1893, and 17th July, 1893, to the Education Department, asking for the grant or for some inquiry into the matter, have been met by printed acknowledgments only, without any answers whatever being given to the matter of the said letters; and whether he will direct payment of the said grant, or inquire into the matter, and also will give directions that answers be made in due course by the officials of the Department to those having business with it?
§ MR. ACLANDIt appears that when the grant to this school was paid last December the grant due in respect of the evening school was inadvertently overlooked. Mr. Bradley called attention to this on the 29th June. The case was at once looked into, and instructions were given that the grant should be put forward. This involved reference to the Inspector, and some little delay has con- 757 sequently occurred, but the grant will be paid very shortly. The printed acknowledgments are always sent in order to show that letters have been received, and will be attended to.