MR. GEORGE KENYON (Denbigh Boroughs)To ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will say, as the result of inquiries made under the supervision of the Board, what variations have been sanctioned in the case of six national schools in the county of Carnarvon as to the proportion of foundation managers whether, seeing that these schools have been generally recognised as Church schools for many years, and are in union by their trust deeds with the National Society, he will state on what grounds the variations are being sanctioned; and whether a like process is to be applied to non-provided schools in other counties.
(Answered by Sir William Anson.) The hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the character of these schools. One of them is not in union with any denomination or society. In several, Church of England teaching has not been given for more than a quarter of a century; and in all of them the principles upon which the education given in the school has been conducted 1554 in the past were such as, in accordance with Section 11 (4) of the Act, the Board were bound to take into account in making orders for the appointment of foundation managers. As a result the Board have broadened the method of appointment of certain of the foundation managers, and in certain eases the requirement that a manager should be a member of the Church of England has been withdrawn. It is clearly impossible for me to say beforehand whether Section 11 (4) will apply to any cases which may arise in the future. Each case must be considered on its merits when it arises, and, if necessary, after a local public inquiry.