HC Deb 25 July 1907 vol 179 cc142-3
*MR. E. GARDNER (Berkshire, Wokingham)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the case of the Ranelagh Foundation, Whitefield, Berks, an endowment left for the education of children in the principles of the Church of England and applied under a scheme approved by the Board of Education in December, 1905, to the establishment of a secondary school in which the principles of that Church are to be taught; and whether, if the terms of the scheme are carried out, the grants for secondary schools, either under Articles 36 (a), or 42 to 44 (b) of the recently issued Regulations, will be withheld.

MR. McKENNA

The new Regulations will not prohibit the giving of denominational instruction in this school to scholars whose parents have requested the §See (4) Debates, clxxv., 256. Governors in writing to supply it, provided it is paid for from funds other than grants or rates. The existing scheme appears to permit of compliance with the Regulations in this respect. Every facility will be given to the Governors to obtain any amendment of their scheme which is necessary in order to enable them to comply with the conditions prescribed for the higher scale of grants. I may perhaps call the hon. Member's attention to Circular 568 which has been recently issued by the Board and deals with these matters.

*MR. E. GARDNER

Arising out of that Answer, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that this Foundation has handed over practically the whole of its funds, some £7,000, with the concurrence of the Berkshire County Council and with the approval of the Education Department; whether under the scheme which was granted, certain privileges in connection with giving education in accordance with the principles of the Church of England were conceded; and whether under the new Regulations that teaching will not be permitted?

*MR. McKENNA

I am aware of the facts stated by the hon. Gentleman, but the Regulations do not prohibit giving that instruction provided the parents of the children wish it.

MR. E. GARDNER

Yes, but that is not in accordance with the scheme.