§ MR. PICTON (Leicester)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether the Education Department have discovered 892 that the accounts of the Morton National School, Bingley, have been made delusive by crediting to the school fund subscriptions which had no existence; whether these so-called subscriptions were in some cases credited with the consent of the alleged subscribers; and, if the facts are as stated, what steps the Department intends to take with regard to those who were parties to the transaction?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Mr. ACLAND,) York, W.R., RotherhamThe late Vicar of Morton, who died by his own hand under very painful circumstances in September last, made a public statement a short time before to the effect that he had for some years past falsified the school accounts in the manner described. He also stated that this had been done in some cases with the consent of the persons to whom the fictitious subscriptions were credited, mentioning in particular the name of one person who is now acting as Correspondent of the school. The Department have held a very careful inquiry on the spot, in which the Trustees of the school have given every assistance. The fictitious subscriptions are to be made good, and a fresh balance-sheet with bonâ fide vouchers for all the income and expenditure to be made out for the current year. The Department have also called on the gentleman implicated by the late Vicar to offer any explanation as to his part in the matter. Failing a satisfactory explanation, they will decline to recognise the school while he remains a Manager or Correspondent.
§ MR. PICTONWas any fraudulent or criminal intent alleged?
§ * MR. ACLANDThe falsification was admitted. As to the legal aspect of the case, I can offer no opinion.