§ MR. EMMOTT (Oldham)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education if he can state what the new proposals or arrangements affecting the department of special inquiries and reports are which have led to the resignation of Mr. M. E. Sadler, the director of that department; and whether any correspondence on the question will be laid upon the Table.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Sir WILLIAM ANSON,) Oxford UniversityThe Board of Education made no proposals affecting the department of special inquiries, nor did they suggest any departure from the terms of Mr. Acland's minute adopted by the Treasury when the office came into existence in 1895. Such new proposals as were made, were made by Mr. Sadler, who some weeks ago asked as a condition of his continuing to hold his post for an increase in the funds, staff, and accommodation for his branch of the department, and for a discretion in the use of them so wide as to appear inconsistent with the terms of his appointment. The Board were anxious to meet the wishes of Mr. Sadler but felt bound to call his attention to the terms under which his office was created by Mr. Acland; to his relation to the Heads of the Department; and to the fact that his services and those of his staff must at all times be at the absolute disposal of the Board. Mr. Sadler considered that the general inquiries which he might be conducting should take precedence of the immediate wants of the Board if in his opinion they were of greater importance. This was not the view of the Board, and Mr. Sadler thereupon declined to continue in his office. I shall be happy to lay the Papers on the Table if the hon. Member desires it.