HC Deb 15 August 1901 vol 99 c925
MR. YERBURGH (Chester)

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he is aware the Board of Education has directed the building of a new Board school at Prestatyn, that the new buildings of the national school afford accommodation for 247 children, and the old buildings for 158; and that the total estimated child population of the district of school age is only 210, and the average attendance at the national and board schools only 105; and whether the Board of Education will reconsider their decision.

MR. GEORGE KENYON (Denbigh)

May I also ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he is aware that the Board of Education have recently ordered a new board school to be erected at Prestatyn, Flintshire; and, seeing chat there are already three schools in this parish, the population of which is only 1,200, and that there is accommodation in the national school alone for 247 children, can he state what is the object of erecting a new school in addition to those already existing.

THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Sir J. GORST, Cambridge University)

The Board of Education has not directed the building of a new school at Prestatyn, but the matter is still under its consideration. I am told the hon. Member's figures cannot be accepted as accurate.

MR. GEORGE KENYON

Has the right hon. Gentleman any intention of ascertaining the opinions of the ratepayers?

SIR J. GORST

The usual course will be taken. No order will be made unless there is a deficiency of school accommodation, and that will be ascertained in the customary manner.