§ MR. HARRY FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education if he is aware that in certain cases Her Majesty's Inspectors have notified managers of voluntary schools that they will require marching space to be provided in the infants' department; is this marching space included in the eight square feet basis specified in the Code as suitable provision; and if it is not, what further provision can be required under this head, and by what authority; and will he consider the advisability of not withholding any portion of the variable grant under Article 98 of the Code on the ground that the accommodation or the teaching staff approach too closely to the limits laid down by the Department, although they do not exceed them? I beg also to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Department have reduced the variable grant under Article 98, Section (b), of the Code, in the case of Christ Church Voluntary School, Lowestoft, notwithstanding the fact that the school has earned the excellent merit grant for many years past; what is the reason for such reduction; is he aware that the reduction, amounting to about £25, is a very serious matter to the school, and may lead to its being closed; what is the number of school places in the said school as recognised by the Department, and the average attendance for the last school year reported upon; and will he inquire into the matter personally, with a view to cancelling the reduction? And I further desire to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, if the managers of Christ Church Infant School, Lowestoft, should refuse to admit children up to the limit of accommodation recognised by the Department, they will endanger their whole grant from the Department; while if they admit 1581 children up to the recognised limit, or even up to last year's average only, they are liable to reduction of the grant for crowded accommodation; and whether he is aware that the school in question is one of the brightest, best lighted, and healthiest schools in Lowestoft?
§ MR. ACLANDThe three questions of the hon. Member appear all to refer to the Christ Church Infants' School at Lowestoft. I have directed a special inquiry on the whole matter to be made by Mr. Sharpe, Her Majesty's Senior Chief Inspector, who will visit Lowestoft at an early date for that purpose. He will inquire into the reason for the payment of the variable grant at the middle rate of 4s., instead of at the highest rate of 6s., as well as into the other points mentioned by the hon. Member—the marching space and the premises generally. I shall be happy to communicate any decision arrived at in the matter to the hon. Member after I have had an opportunity of considering Mr. Sharpe's Report.
§ MR. HARRY FOSTERI should like to point out that one of my questions raises a general principle, and does not specifically refer to this school.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)Is the hon. Member entitled to put a question of principle?
§ MR. ACLANDI can only say I will give this matter close personal attention.