HC Deb 18 May 1903 vol 122 cc929-30
MR. TREVELYAN (Yorkshire, W.R., Elland)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Education Committee of the Northumberland County Council has decided at its first meeting to exclude the public and the Press from its deliberations; and, if so, whether the Board will recommend the rescinding of the resolution, as contrary to the spirit and intentions of the Education Act. In putting this question may I further ask if it is not the fact that this Education Committee takes the place of thirty-four School Boards in Northumberland whose meetings were open to the Press.

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

The question of the exclusion of the public and the Press from the meetings of this Education Committee is a question for the Northumberland County Council to decide. It does not appear to me to be a matter for the interference of the Board.

MR. TREVELYAN

asked whether the Board of Education had not been issuing circulars of advice to the education authorities, and whether this was not a case where advice was desirable.

SIR WILLIAM ANSON

This is provided for in the First Schedule of the Education Act of last year.