§ MR. GRIFFITH BOSCAWEN (Kent, Tunbridge)To ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the resolutions of certain County Councils whereby it is proposed to contribute nothing but the Government Grants to the maintenance of the voluntary schools within their area, and to apply the produce of the county rate levied for educational purposes over the entire county towards the support of county schools only; and what steps he proposes to take.
(Answered by Sir William Anson.) My attention has been called to the resolutions mentioned. It is the duty of every County Council to maintain and keep efficient all public elementary schools within its area. The rate and the Government Grant together constitute the fund at the disposal of a County Council for this purpose. The standard of efficiency at which all public elementary schools are maintained must be alike, unless special educational reasons can be shown for a distinction. The action proposed in the resolutions would therefore be in contravention of the Act.