HC Deb 26 March 1903 vol 120 cc304-5
MR. GEORGE WHITE (Norfolk, N. W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the managers of the schools at Torrington St. Clements have determined to cease responsibility for these schools on the 31st March; and whether he will take steps to prevent the children being deprived of their education for the ensuing six months, and to free the parents from liability to prosecution for not sending their children to school.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Sir WILLIAM ANSON,) Oxford University

The Board of Education are still in communication with the managers. In their opinion the financial position of the schools is such that the managers should be able to carry them on up to September 30th without incurring any personal loss; and they are not without hope that the schools may yet be kept open until they can be taken over by the local education authority. † See (4) Debates, xciii., 434. But the Board of Education has no power to compel the managers to keep open the schools if they have no funds available for the purpose. With regard to the last part of the Question, the fact that there was no school available would be a reasonable excuse for non-attendance under the by laws.

MR. GEORGE WHITE

But the Board of Education have the ultimate authority in this matter, and as the managers have definitely determined not to go on with the school, cannot some scheme be devised whereby 600 children will not be deprived of their education?

SIR WILLIAM ANSON

The powers of the Board are limited by law, but they will do all that is possible.