HC Deb 06 July 1899 vol 74 cc24-5
SIR WILLIAM WILLS (Bristol, E.)

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education, if he will explain on what grounds the Science and Art Department has declined to recognise the Fairfield Road (Bristol) Higher Grade School (which was erected with the sanction of the Education Department) as a school of science, although it is equipped and staffed and at present doing the work of a science school.

THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (Sir J. GORST,) Cambridge University

The Science and Art Department has not declined to recognise the Fairfield Road (Bristol) Higher Grade School as a school of science. It appears that the maintenance by a school board of a school of science at the expense of the school rate is illegal; and the department are therefore awaiting the result of negotiations between the School Board and County Council of Bristol, which they hope will result in the provision of funds which may legitimately be applied to that purpose.