§ * MR. COMPTON RICKETT (Scarborough)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any, and if so, what, reply has been given to the petition of the inhabitants of Trinidad against the transfer of certain of the Government Schools to religious denominations; whether the correspondence and other Papers on the subject can be produced; and whether an inquiry into the condition of education in the island will be ordered.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.In a despatch dated 3rd September last, I stated my view that the proposal to close or transfer certain Government Schools should be abandoned in so far as it has not already been carried into effect, and I am informed by the Governor that no Goverment Schools have been closed or transferred. I also stated that in my opinion no sufficient advantage would at present result from incurring the expense of a visit to the 788 Colony by an educational expert from this country. The petitioners have been informed to the above effect. The correspondence on the subject of education in Trinidad has been very voluminous and is not yet concluded. I do not propose to lay Papers before Parliament.