§ *MR. ERNEST GRAY) (West Ham, N.I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether, if the managers of a school join an association under the conditions set forth under the Voluntary Schools Act, and such managers afterwards withdraw from the association, their school would continue to receive special grants at the same rate as when the school was represented in the association, providing the necessity of the school remained the same; and, whether, if the managers of any school decline to join an association when it is first formed, the association could refuse to admit representatives of such managers at any subsequent date if the managers then desire to join the association?
§ SIR J. GORSTThe Committee of Council cannot lay down a general rule applicable to all the hypothetical cases suggested by the hon. Member. Every case would have to be considered on its merits and with reference to the special circumstances.
*MR. MELLOR (York, W. R., Sowerby)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Council whether his attention has been called to the speech of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Convocation, in which he advises the Bishops and Clergy to proceed to divide the country into ecclesiastical districts for the purposes of association under the Voluntary Schools Act; and whether he is prepared to sanction such a scheme?
§ SIR J. GORSTUnder the Voluntary Schools Act it is for the managers, and not for the Education Department, to initiate proposals for areas of association. The Education Department are prepared to, as stated in the minute of April 19, consider proposals as to areas made to them by bodies of managers which comply with the conditions.