HC Deb 07 May 1906 vol 156 cc969-70
Mr. C. E. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of † See (4) Debates cliii., 1093–4; cliv., 367. State for the Colonies if he will state from what date it is intended to institute the furnishing of quarterly Returns by superintendents regarding the attendance at school of estate children in Ceylon; whether instructions have yet been issued for the inspection of estate schools by Government officers, as recommended by the Elementary Education Commission; and whether the legislative provisions referred to in the 55th paragraph of the Commissioners' Report will be included in the proposed measure dealing with country districts, and when such measure is likely to be introduced.

* MR. CHURCHILL

I would refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State's despatch of March 1st which has been published in Cd. 2873. I do not think that I can add anything to the position as there stated, except that the introduction of educational changes in a Colony like Ceylon must necessarily take some time.