§ MR. JAMES ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he has received a large Petition from Pimlico calling his attention to the want of free school places in that neighbourhood, and asking that they may be supplied; and whether he can state what action has been taken on the Petition?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Mr. ACLAND,) York, W.R., RotherhamThe Department has received a Memorial signed by about 600 persons calling attention to the want of free school places in Pimlico, which was referred to the School Board for London on March 11 with a request for full particulars as to the accommodation available for this district. After more than five weeks had elapsed the Department wrote to the Board pressing for an early reply; they stated in answer that their School Accommodation Committee were collecting particulars which would be laid before the committee at an early day, and thereafter reported to the Board. More than a fortnight has elapsed since, but the Board's Report to the Department has not yet been received.
§ MR. PICTON (Leicester)Are we to understand that the determination of this question rests solely with the School Board?
§ MR. ACLANDIt is the duty of the Board to provide a sufficient number of free places, and before that can be done the Board must have the Report of the Committee. I very much regret the delay that has taken place.