§ MR. BRIDGEMANI beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the Board is being invited by the local education authority in 1041 Merthyr Tydvil to sanction the closing of the girls' and infants' departments in St. David's Schools; that the effect would be simply to transfer the children to an unsuitable building in a Nonconformist chapel at a rental of over £50 a year, whereas a large sum sufficient has been promised towards the rebuilding and improvement of the St. David's School, the plans approved, and the contract signed, work having only been suspended until the proposals as to school buildings in the Bill now before Parliament have definitely been settled; and whether he will state what action he proposes to take.
§ MR. BIRRELLI must refer the hon. Member to the Answer that I gave on 28th November last to a Question from the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil concerning this school.†The Board have already some time since withdrawn recognition as from 31st December next of the girls' and infants' departments. The local authority have informed the Board that they "have arranged for suitable accommodation for the children at present attending the girls' and infants' departments." The authority are also about to submit a comprehensive scheme for a now and modern school building.
§ MR. BRIDGEMANWere not these buildings first approved and thon disallowed?
§ MR. BIRRELLI will inquire as to that.