HC Deb 25 July 1899 vol 75 cc231-2
MR. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN (Kent, Tunbridge)

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he is aware that the poll recently taken at Prestatyn for the formation of a school board did not represent a majority of the ratepayers, and that it was taken upon a register admittedly faulty; whether there is already ample school accommodation in the parish; and whether the Education Department has received, and will accede to, a petition, signed by a majority of the ratepayers of Prestatyn, asking that before the order for the formation of a school board is granted a fresh poll on the question may be taken.

MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the question, may I ask if he is aware that at the poll in question 265 persons voted out of a total register of 350 electors; that the voting was 138 for and 127against; that the British schools have been ordered to be closed for two years, and——

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! I must protest against this form of question being adopted for two reasons. In the first place it is not a question, but is a speech and argument, and in the next it is a statement of facts in anticipation of the answer of the Minister.

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

I cannot verify the hon. Member's figures without notice, but certainly the majority which voted for the School Board did not constitute the majority of the ratepayers. The Committee of Council have no reason to believe that the register was faulty. There is ample school accommodation in the parish. A petition has been received as described in the question, but the Committee of Council have no grounds for going behind the decision of the ratepayers expressed in a deliberate and legal manner.