MR. R. G. WEBSTERI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the increasing tendency of the precepts issued to the rating authorities by the school boards throughout many parts of the country, and the heavy burden thereby caused to the poorer ratepayers; if he has noticed the fact that it is authoritatively stated that the School Board for London charges for the ensuing year will be increased by 1d. in the pound, and amount to 1s. l½d. in the pound; and if he will take legislative action to limit the expenditure of the school boards to a certain rate in the pound, and that this sum in no case be exceeded without the express sanction of the Local Government Board.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIn answer to my hon. friend I have to say that the facts as stated in the first and second paragraphs of his question are substantially accurate; but I certainly could not suggest to the House the propriety of legislation interfering with the discretion of the ratepayers in the administration of their funds.