§ LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire. Chorley)To ask the President of the Board of Education if he will state upon what date the plans to carry out the requirements of the Board as regards the provision of a playground and cloak room for East Hardwick school, West Riding, were submitted to the Board; on what date were the plans in question returned; and what has been the explanation of the delay.
(Answered by Mr. Runciman.) Plans for the improvement of the premises, but not including a playground, first reached the Board on 6th July, 1905. They were re-submitted on 15th December, 1906. The same plans, but including the provision of a playground, appear to have reached the Board on 5th March, 1907. On 16th May, 1907, the Board decided, after consideration of all the circumstances of the case, that a new council school was necessary. This decision was communicated to the local education authority and the managers on 16th May, 1907, and, in letters dated 17th June, and 18th July, 1907, the Board explained to the managers that they had taken the proposals of the managers into account in forming their decision that a council school was necessary, and that they considered that, even if the alterations, including the provision of a playground, were carried out, the premises would still be very poor and not fit on that account for recognition permanently. The plans were, by inadvertence, not returned to the managers when the Board's decision was communicated to them, and the managers did not call attention to the omission until 16th April, 1908. The plans were returned on 30th April, 1908. It will be seen that the delay in returning the plans did not in fact prejudice the position of the managers.