§ MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education if he is aware that the amended scheme under the new Act submitted by the Newport Borough County Council to his Department was only adopted by the casting vote of the mayor, and in the face of strong protest; if his attention has been drawn to a communication signed by an absolute majority of the whole of the members of the Council stating that the scheme does not represent their views, and asking the Board of Education to withhold its sanction to the scheme pending its reconsideration at the next Council meeting; and whether, under the circumstances, the Board will withhold its approval.
§ * THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Sir WILLIAM ANSON,) Oxford UniversityI am aware that there is considerable difference of opinion in the Newport Town Council on the subject of the scheme submitted to the Board of Education. The Board have sanctioned the publication of the Draft Scheme in order to obtain the views of the Newport inhabitants more effectively than would otherwise be possible. Publication must precede the approval of the Board. Such approval is not given until the various appeals (if any) against a scheme have been fully considered. Any representations made by the Council in regard to the scheme at their next ordinary meeting will certainly be care- 181 fully considered by the Board before approval or disapproval of the scheme is signified.