§ MR. OSMOND WILLIAMS (Merionethshire)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether the Education (Defaulting Authorities) Act, 1904, has been put in operation in the county of Merioneth; and, if so, in respect of what schools; and on what grounds.
§ SIR WILLIAM ANSONThe Board of Education have made payments to the managers of the following three schools in Merioneth: Llawr-y-Bettws Church School, Maentwrog National School, and Tynant National School. These payments have been made in respect of expenses which, in the opinion of the Board, had been properly incurred by the managers of these schools for the purpose of maintaining and keeping them efficient between September 30th, 1903, and October 31st, 1904, and for which provision should have been made by the local education authority.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGE (Carnarvon Boroughs)Has any deduction been made in respect of this amount out of the grant payable to the county? Are these the only schools in arrears, or, if not, have any preliminary steps been taken in regard to the others?
§ SIR WILLIAM ANSONNo deduction has been made at present. Claims have been made by the managers of other voluntary schools in Merionethshire, and the Board of Education are in communication with them on the subject.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEAt any rate, no deduction has been made in respect of these schools.
§ SIR WILLIAM ANSONThat is so.