HC Deb 18 June 1896 vol 41 cc1337-8
SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Monmouthshire, W.)

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether, under the operation of Clauses 4 and 13 of the Education Bill, the School Boards of the following places—Gateshead, with a population of 86,000,and 11,400 Board School scholars; South Shields, with a population of 78,000, and 10,900 Board School scholars; West Ham, with a population of 205,000, and 33,000 Board School scholars; Norwich, with a population of 101,000, and 10,900 Board School scholars; Hanley, with a population of 55,000, and 6,400 Board School scholars; Walsall, with a population of 72,000, and 6,600 Board School scholars; Hull, with a population of 200,000, and 24,900 Board School scholars; and Swansea, with a population of 99,000, and 12,000 Board School scholars, will be placed under the education authority of the Town Councils by virtue of Clause 13 of the Bill?

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Sir JOHN GORST,) Cambridge University

The Town Councils will distribute a special aid grant to the Board Schools of these boroughs; and it will be their duty, under Clause 13, to see that the schools so aided fulfil the conditions there stated.

SIR W. HARCOURT

May I ask this Question to make it clear? In the case of these School Boards, would the authority of the new education authority under Clause 13 arise?

SIR J. GORST

All they require to do before they aid a school, or before they pay the money over, is to satisfy themselves that certain conditions are fulfilled. [Hear, hear!"]

MR. WILLIAM JONES (Carnarvon, Arfon)

I beg to ask the Vice President if the proceedings of the Education Committee of the County Council would be reported to the County Council for confirmation?

SIR J. GORST

No, Sir.

MR. W. JONES

also asked the Vice President in what relation would the county and borough authority to be created by the Education Bill stand in relation to the Education Department with respect to the standard of primary education and to the inspection of primary schools?

SIR J. GORST

The education authority cannot alter the code without the consent of the Education Department, and the inspection of schools is to be conducted in such manner as the Education Department agree to.