§ *MR. COMPTON RICKETT (Scarborough)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a further report from the Governor of Trinidad, relating to the closing of Government schools, and their transfer to denominational management, has come to hand; whether he has received a petition from the inhabitants of Trinidad objecting to the threatened closing of these Government schools, and asking for an inquiry into the state of education 280 in that island; and also a petition for permission to erect a new building for the Royal College, and for sanction to add to its teaching staff; whether he has reached any decision in regard to these matters, and whether the correspondence relating thereto will be produced.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI have received the further report referred to in the question and a petition against the closing of the schools. I have not received a petition for a new building for Queen's Royal College. I have sanctioned an addition to its teaching staff. I have not yet come to any final decision on the subject of the Trinidad schools.