§ MR. FULLER (Wiltshire, Westbury)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Wiltshire County Council has
† See (4) Debates, cxxii, 690.644 issued a precept to the Guardians for the payment of a rate in respect of elementary education payable as to the first instalment on 10th June, 1903, and as to the second instalment on 10th August 1903; and, if so, whether, seeing that the appointed day for the purposes of elementary education under The Education Act, 1902, is in Wiltshire 1st October, 1903, he will state whether the issue of such precept payable before the appointed day is within the powers of the Wiltshire County Council.
§ MR. WALTER LONGI am not aware of the facts of the particular case referred to by the hon. Member; but, as regards the general question, I am advised that a County Council may legally issue a precept payable before the appointed day, for the purpose of meeting their expenses in bringing the Education Act, 1902, into operation.