§ MR. OSMOND WILLIAMS (Merionethshire)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can state the grounds upon which the whole of the education grants payable to the local education authority of Merionethshire, in the months of March and April last, have been withheld; and for how long it is proposed to withhold such grants.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Sir WILLIAM ANSON, Oxford University)No March grants have been withheld; all grants which normally matured for payment during the financial year 1904–5 have been paid. The instalments of fee grant due in April last have been paid, less the sums deducted for expenses properly incurred by managers, and for which provision should have been made by the local education authority during the period from 30th September 1903, to 30th October 1904. No annual grants fall due for payment, as regards Merioneth schools, during the month of April owing to the incidence of the school years. The aid grant under Section 10 of the Act of 1902 is paid in respect of the financial year, or rather for so much of it as a school is open. It may be paid by instalments in advance from April 1st onwards, and the Board are now considering what payments they may 292 properly make in respect of the county of Merioneth.