HC Deb 13 May 1908 vol 188 cc1137-8
MR. COURTHOPE

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education when the notice under Section 8 of the Education Act, 1902, was given in respect of the proposed council school at Llandaff, and what were its terms; whether the proposed school is to be provided on the ground that it is necessary; and, if so, why a grant is being made towards it from the £100,000 voted for new schools last year.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Mr. RUNCIMAN,) Dewsbury

Notice was given by the local education authority on 31st July, 1905, to provide two new public elementary schools at Llandaff and Llandaff Yard for the areas within three miles thereof and with accommodation for 560 and 215 children respectively. The Board have sanctioned a school for 300 children being provided at Llandaff on the ground that such a school is, in their opinion, necessary within the meaning of Section 9 of the Education Act, 1902. No building grant will be paid in respect of those school places which the local education authority would, in any case, be under a statutory obligation to provide.

MR. COURTHOPE

Are we to understand that no grant has been made?

MR. RUNCIMAN

I replied that no grant would be paid in respect of those school places which the local education authority would in any case be under a statutory obligation to provide.

LORD ROBERT CECIL

Was notice given in 1905 in respect of two schools, and is the legal adviser of the Education Department of opinion that that notice was a good notice in respect of the provision of one school of a very different character and much smaller scope?

MR. RUNCIMAN

I do not know that it is of a different character. The advice given is that the notice for the schools covers the case of the one school to which a grant is being made.

MR. COURTHOPE

Do not the regulations preclude the spending of any of that money on schools like these?

MR. RUNCIMAN

I have said that no portion of the grant will be in respect of school places which the local education authority are under an obligation to provide.

LORD ROBERT CECIL

And how many places are they under an obligation to provide?

MR. RUNCIMAN

I must ask for notice of that Question.

MR. COURTHOPE

Did not the right hon. Gentleman inform us that the school was considered to be necessary?

MR. RUNCIMAN

I have said so. I do not think the hon. Member realises that while the school is considered necessary no grant will be made in respect of places which the local authority must provide.