§ MR. EVELYN CECIL (Herts., Hertford)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board at what dates the accounts of the School Board for London are audited; and whether he will give greater publicity to the dates for 1446 the use of those who wish to object before the auditor to the cost of instruction given to pupils not earning Parliamentary grants in accordance with the Minutes of the Education Department, but who are registered in day or evening schools under the Department of Science and Art; since this cost, if charged upon the school fund, is illegal in the opinion of the Committee of Council on Education?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARDThe accounts of the School Board for London are audited half-yearly, usually in the months of February and August. At least 14 days' notice is given of the date of the audit by advertisement on two consecutive days in The Times, and printed notices of the audit are placed outside the Offices of the School Board and also outside every school belonging to them. The audit of the accounts for the half-year ended 29th September last is now in progress, and will probably continue for some weeks. The audit is held at the Offices of the School Board, and whilst it continues any ratepayer may at any time attend and object to any item in the accounts. Moreover, the auditor would be willing to make a special appointment to hear any such objection, if application is made to him for the purpose before the audit is closed.