HC Deb 03 February 1908 vol 183 cc527-8
MR. BRIDGEMAN (Shropshire, Oswestry)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if he will state how the £100,000 included in the Appropriation Bill of 1907 for the purpose of building elementary schools has been allocated; and what rules or considerations have governed the allocation of the grants.

LORD R. CECIL

At the same time may I ask the President of the Board of Education what steps have been taken towards the allotment of the giant of £100,000 for school building; whether it is proposed to make any grants in Wales; and, if so, in what parishes.

MR. PIKE PEASE

I beg also to ask the President of the Board of Education if he will give a list of the townships in which new elementary schools are to be erected with the assistance of the grant of £100,000 sanctioned in the Appropriation Act of 1907.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Mr. McKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.

The distribution of these grants is governed by regulations laid before Parliament last session. A considerable number of applications, both from England and Wales, have been received, but until the preliminary inquiries have been completed I am not in a position to state the cases in which a grant will be made. A statement will, however, be presented to the House as soon as the outstanding applications have all been decided.

LORD R. CECIL

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is the intention to hold a public inquiry in each case before a grant is made?

MR. McKENNA

Oh, no.

LORD R. CECIL

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean departmental inquiries?

MR. McKENNA

Departmental inquiries.

MR. PIKE PEASE

When does he think a statement will probably be made?

MR. McKENNA

Probably it will be ready some time next month, but not, I think, until then.

MR. BOWLES

No statement will be made until the money has been allocated?

MR. McKENNA

The money will be allocated in accordance with the regulations. When the money has been allocated a statement will be made. It could not be made until the money has been allocated.

LORD R. CECIL

Would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to make a statement before the end of next month as to the sums the Department had already determined to allocate?

MR. McKENNA

No, I will make a complete statement as soon as the money has been allocated.