§ SIR JOHN GORST (Cambridge University)To ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to an allegation, made at a 932 meeting of the town council of Preston on May 25th by several members of the council, that children were caned in the elementary school of that borough for not bringing their school fees; whether any inquiry is being made into the truth of the statement; whether the Board of Education will call for a report on the matter from the education committee of the Preston Town Council, and will, if necessary, express its disapproval of such a method of collecting school fees; and whether the payment of fees in the elementary schools is sanctioned by the Board of Education.
(Answered by Sir William Anson.) I have not seen the statement referred to, nor has any member of the town council of Preston drawn the attention of the Board to the alleged cases of coming. I will, however, make inquiries of the local education authority.