§ MR. T. G. ASHTON (Beds,) LutonI beg to ask the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the correspondence between the Board and the Battlesden and Potsgrove United District School Board, in the county of Bedford, regarding the Agricultural Rates Act 1896; whether he is aware that, while the School Board rate of the current year amounts to £52 10s., the School Board will receive relief under the Act on a basis of a rate amounting to £5 10s. only; and whether, having regard to this hardship, the Board will take the case into favourable consideration under the powers given to them by Article III. of their Prescribing Regulations, dated 28th July 1896?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. T. W. RUSSELL, Tyrone, S.)I have no reason to doubt that the facts are as stated by the hon. Member. It was intended that the grants to spending authorities should be based upon the rates raised during the year ended the 31st March 1896. In the case of the parish in question, no such rates were raised for the expenses of the School Board. The Local Government Board have, however, taken into account the rates raised by the School Attendance Committee, who were the predecessors of the School Board. 749 The question will be considered by the Board, whether the circumstances in the present case are such that any additional grant can be made.