§ MR. HENRY J. WILSON, Yorkshire, W.R., Holmfirth)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he is aware that the parents of children attending St. Thomas' School, Farnworth, have applied for free places and have been directed to St. John's School, which is further from their homes and through dangerous thoroughfares; whether he is aware that the parents of other children attending Francis Street School, Farnworth, were refused free places in that School, and directed to apply at St. Thomas' School, although other children attending St. Thomas' School had been directed to apply elsewhere; whether he can ascertain the reason of this treatment of parents who desire free education for their children; and whether, in view of these difficulties at Farnworth, the Board of Education will order a School Board to be set up under the provisions of the Free Education Act of 1891.
§ SIR J. GORSTThe St. Thomas and Francis Street Schools have a right to charge fees, and the Board of Education, therefore, cannot require these Schools to admit children free. The Board have, However, found free places for all applicants. Should any reasonable objection be made to the places found, the Board would make further inquiry.