§ MR. MASSIE (Wiltshire, Cricklade)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Wiltshire education authority has performed all its duties under the wear-and-tear clause of the Education Act, 1902, at an average cost of about 1½d. per scholar, whilst the Dorset authority is commuting the cost by payments to the denominational school managers, amounting in some cases, to 2s. per scholar, and averaging nearly Is. per scholar over the whole county; and what steps he proposes to take to put an end to this appropriation of public money, which the Local Government Board have declared to be illegal.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI have seen a statement to the effect mentioned in the Question. As I stated in reply to my hon. friend's previous Question, if it is considered that any expenditure incurred by a local education authority in relation to wear and tear in non-provided schools is illegal, the matter should be brought before the auditor at the audit. I have no jurisdiction with regard to it, except on an appeal from his decision.
§ MR. MASSIEDoes not the auditor report such illegalities?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSYes, when his audit is completed.