HC Deb 30 July 1894 vol 27 c1252
MR. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether it is a fact that pressure has been put upon the managers of Rhuddlan School, near St. Asaph, to make various alterations which will cost at least £100; whether it is true that among the demands made is the building of a new porch; whether there is any need for this; is he aware that the Department threatened last February the withdrawal of the grant unless its demands were complied with within 12 months, and that the parish is a poor one, and there will be considerable difficulty in raising the money; and whether he will be prepared to reconsider the demand, and to give more time for their execution?

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Mr. ACLAND,) York, W.R., Rotherham

Certain defects, which include deficient cloakroom accommodation, were pointed out in the last Annual Report on this school, and the managers were told that they should be remedied as soon as possible. But these had nothing to do with the notice as to withdrawal of grant, which was a first formal warning for inefficient instruction under Article 86 of the Code, and had no connection with the buildings.

MR. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Do I understand that the withdrawal of the grant will not depend upon whether the changes are made within 12 months from last February?

MR. ACLAND

This was what is called a first warning as to the character of the instruction given. That leads to the withdrawal of the grant in very few cases. The question of the buildings will be considered on quite a different basis.