MR. A. PEASE (Yorkshire, Cleveland)I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he is aware that the inhabitants of the district of Lunedale, Middleton-in-Teesdale, have recently held a poll and decided by a majority to apply to the Department for a school board; whether the Education Department has taken any action with a view to meeting the wishes of the inhabitants, or is prepared to give any reason for the delay: and whether the school at present existing is likely to be closed?
§ THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (Sir J. GORST,) Cambridge UniversityA poll was held, with the result stated; but this does not empower the Education Department to order the formation of a school board, as the meeting was not held in accordance with the conditions of section 52 of the Local Government Act, 1894. The Department have received no definite notice from the managers of their intention to close the school.