§ MR. HANBURYI beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education what steps the Department have decided to take with reference to the opening of a new school at Norton Canes, Staffordshire; whether they have made inquiry into the circumstances under which the sanction of the School Board was represented to them as having been obtained, and has now been formally withdrawn; and what inquiries as to the legality of this alleged sanction by the School Board were made before the Department itself consented to recognise this school as one entitled to receive an annual grant?
§ MR. ACLANDThe Norton-under-Cannock School Board wrote to the Department on the 19th April, stating that, at a meeting on the 17th, they had rescinded their previous resolution agreeing to the proposed school being put on the Annual Grant List by the Department. They have been informed that the Department cannot, on that account, withdraw from their undertaking to allow annual grants to the new school. There was nothing in the terms of the Board's original resolution which called for any inquiry by the Department, and the Board do not allege that it was passed in an irregular way.
§ MR. HANBURYIs it not the fact that the information sent to the School Board was given solely on the authority of the Chairman, and that the resolution passed 636 in consequence was revoked? Is nothing to be done?
§ MR. ACLANDreplied, that if any evidence of illegality were forthcoming it would be carefully considered.