§ Mr. ESSEXasked the President of the Board of Education if he can state at what date the changes in the Code announced in Circular 709 will come into force; and whether he will arrange so that they shall take effect gradually?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Runciman)It has always been my intention that the changes should be gradually introduced in the areas of the several local education authorities, and that those whose present standard is below that required by the Circular should have ample time to adapt their arrangements for the new provisions. The changes will be embodied in the Code for 1909, which will come into force on 1st August but I am contemplating an arrangement that, as regards individual schools, the new Regulations to be embodied in Articles 12 and 14 of the Code 1006 shall only operate in respect of school years commencing after 1st August, 1909, and I may add that the Board will ordinarily be satisfied if they are assured that the local education authority are taking steps which will secure full compliance in each school by the end of the school year commencing after that date. This means that the earliest date by which any individual school in a given area must have fully complied with the new Regulations will be 31st August, 1910, and the latest date 31st July, 1911. In almost all schools the dates of full compliance will fall between 30th September, 1910, and 30th June, 1911, giving each authority between one and two years to complete the new arrangements in their area. Of course, where the matter can be dealt with by mere adjustment, such as the reclassification of scholars, the Board will expect steps to be taken in this direction at the first convenient opportunity.
§ Mr. JAMES PARKERDoes the right hon. Gentleman not mean to say that he is not putting a premium upon bad education by allowing those districts which are afraid of spending money upon education to neglect the education of many children because of the size of the classes? Why cannot this circular be put in operation almost immediately?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman's question is in the nature of an argumentative speech.
§ Captain MORRISON-BELLasked the President of the Board of Education how many estimates of local education authorities, with reference to Circular 709, he has now examined in detail; whether he has found them accurate; what are the minimum and maximum amounts of the increased expenditure disclosed by such estimates; and what is the amount of the increased rate involved in each case?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Board have received estimates from 30 local education authorities, but of these only 14 have been supported by statements sufficiently detailed to afford a basis for critical examination. Of these estimates eight are now in the hands of His Majesty's inspectors for the purpose of investigation and discussion with the local education authorities concerned. In a considerable number of eases there is reason to suppose that the estimates are capable of reduction, especially in urban areas. I think it is desirable that I should defer giving detailed figures until the investigation is further advanced.
§ Captain MORRISON-BELLWill the right hon. Gentleman let me have a copy of the Estimates?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI do not know which Estimates the hon. Gentleman refers to.
§ Captain MORRISON - BELLThose which the hon. Gentleman referred to as having been received.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, I do not think it would be advisable to give out information of that kind piecemeal. The Estimates are being examined on expert advice by the permanent officials and the local authorities, and in due course I will be glad to give to the House full information as to the result.
§ Captain MORRISON-BELLIs it the opinion of the right hon. Gentleman that there has been a great deal of unnecessary exaggeration in these estimates?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThere has been exaggeration, but whether it is unnecessary or not I cannot say.
§ Captain MORRISON - BELLDid it arise from the incapability of understanding the circular properly, or is it an exaggeration which could have been avoided?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat is a matter of opinion. I have said here and must repeat that some of the figures which have been handed in are certainly exaggerations, whether intentional or not I cannot say. I hardly think it likely that the officials of the local authorities would intentionally exaggerate.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake that if, as a great many local authorities think, there will be a great increase in the rates by this circular, he will do his best to get an increased grant from the Treasury?
§ Lord BALCARRESAs only 30 authorities sent in replies, would the President say whether they have all been requested to do so, or have these 30 volunteered?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThere have been no individual requests because already there is a very large number of authorities in the country whose standard is above the circular, and it is only those which feel that they are severely touched by the circular have communicated upon it.
§ Captain MORRISON - BELLasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the advisability 1008 of modifying Circular 709 so that no increase in the local rates may be involved thereby?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThere are many areas where the circular will cause no increase in local rates, but I certainly cannot so modify it that it shall involve no increase in the rates of any area, as this would be equivalent to the withdrawal of the circular, which I have no intention of doing.
§ Mr. BYLESWill the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope to the local authorities that they will be afforded any financial relief from the burdens imposed on them?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat is a question which would be more properly addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.