§ DR. MACNAMARA (Camberwell, N.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether, in the present form of Clause 22 of the Education Bill, it would he competent for any local authority to provide purely elementary instruction for adult students in an evening school.
At the same time may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the terms of Clause 2 of the Education Bill to the effect that the moneys available from the Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Fund and the rate in aid contemplated under the Clause are only available for education other than elementary, it would be competent for any local authority to use these moneys for giving elementary instruction to adults in an evening school; and, if not, out of what funds the local authority would be able to maintain such instruction.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIn reply to the first Question, the lion, gentleman correctly states the position. The rate for education other than elementary may be used for all forms of education and in any kind of school except a public elementary school. If the hon. Gentleman will look at the definition in Clause 28, sub-Section 3, he will see that that is made perfectly clear. As regards the second Question, it follows from what I have just said that the money available from the local taxation fund is applicable for the purposes of education in an evening school; that is, if the education is in an evening; continuation school it can be paid for out of that fund.
§ DR. MACNAMARAWill the right hon. Gentleman say, "Yes" or "No," if it will he competent for a local authority to give purely elementary instruction to an adult in an evening school?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir. The answer to that Question is in the affirmative.