§ MR. J. W. TAYLOR (Durham Chester-le-Street)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been called to a notice issued by the Gateshead Education Committee stating that, after the end of March, all children attending Gateshead schools but living in the administrative county of Durham would be excluded; if this is caused by the Durham County Education Committee refusing to enter into a mutual arrangement with the Gateshead Education Committee; and, if so, will he take steps to bring the parties together, and thus prevent much inconvenience to children attending Gateshead schools.
§ MR. LOUGHThe Answer to the first two paragraphs is in the affirmative. The Board of Education have no power to compel a Local Education Authority to enter into an agreement under Section 52 of the Elementary Education Act 1870, but they have endeavoured, so far without success, to persuade the parties to come to terms.