MR. KEIR-HARDIE (West Ham, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland what is the law relative to the supply of free books in schools, and when penalties are attached to the non-compliance therewith on the part of the School Boards; and whether he will cause to be issued a Circular to School Boards in Scotland setting these forth?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANAs I have already stated, the Department requires 291 as a condition of efficiency that there shall be an adequate supply of books, and holds that a fixed charge for the use of books is not consistent with the relief of fees, and would consequently involve the loss of the fee grant, where it is allowed on account of such relief. Further than this I cannot go, as the Department has no power to give an authoritative opinion on questions of law.
§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON (Shropshire, Oswestry)Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the Rules of the Department on this matter are the same in England?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANI can only speak for the Scotch Office, but I believe that they are substantially the same.