HC Deb 03 August 1905 vol 151 cc86-7
MR. SOARES (Devonshire, Barnstaple)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education what are the grounds on which the Board of Education propose to alter, after this year, the dates of the payment of the annual grants payable to education authorities in respect of the elementary schools maintained by them; and whether he is aware that if such alteration be made it will cause local authorities inconvenience by having to raise sums out of the current rates previous to the receipt of the annual grant.

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

The hon. Member does not seem to be aware that the system of advanced payment of annual grant by quarterly instalments is only a very partial one, and covers but a small portion of the grant. The system has only been in force since the beginning of the financial year 1903–4. Long notice has been given of the discontinuance of the practice after the end of the current financial year, and I do not anticipate that local authorities will have any serious difficulty in making the small change in their financial arrangements which will be necessitated.

SIR ALBERT ROLLIT (Islington, S.)

Is the hon. Baronet aware that municipalities, almost without exception, are desirous of maintaining the system of quarterly payments. While they appreciate the concession already made for the present year they desire it to be made permanent?

SIR WILLIAM ANSON

I am quite aware that some of the local authorities do desire it.