§ SIR D. MACFARLANE (Argyll)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland 1136 whether it is the duty of School Boards to provide free books for the use of children attending the schools; and why the School Board of Kilbrandon and Kilchattan has not done so?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. TREVELYAN,) Glasgow, BridgetonThe practice of the Department has been to regard this question in connection with administration; and in this connection the Department does not hold a school to be efficient where the supply of books is, for any reason, inadequate; while it is also held that a fixed charge for the use of these books is not consistent with Regulations which provide for the relief of fees. The practice of the Kilbraudon and Kilchattan School Board has not been made the subject of correspondence with the Department.
§ SIR D. MACFARLANEWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire why the practice is not pursued in this school?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANIf any complaint reaches us from any one on this matter we will look into it?
§ MR. JACKS (Stirlingshire)Is not great hardship caused to parents who move from one district to another by the fact that different books are used in different schools, and that removal often means the purchase of new books?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANI have received no complaint to that effect. I hold it to be important that a good deal of local latitude should be allowed to local School Boards.