§ MR. SLACK (Hertfordshire, St. Albans)To ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether the Board of Education has made Orders under The Education Act, 1902, in respect of the management of many new provided schools whereby it is provided that if the principal officiating minister of the parish shall refuse to act or is absent from all meetings of the managers during a period of six months an archdeacon or the Bishop of the diocese within which the school is situated may from time to time 1339 appoint some person to act as his substitute; and, if so, whether he can see his way to vary these so as to give to the parents of the children attending these schools or to the county council the right of appointing such substitutes.
(Answered by Sir William Anson.) The provision referred to occurs in Orders which direct that the principal officiating minister of the parish shall be an ex officio foundation manager. The Board consider that in cases where the circumstances justify such a direction the provision in question is appropriate and reasonable, and, unless special reason is shown in any particular case for a departure from their usual practice, the Board are not prepared to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member.