§ Mr. CARLILE (for Sir Philip Magnus)asked whether the Rural Education Conference, recently constituted by the Board of Education and the Board of Agriculture, was required to consider matters referred to it by either Board; and, if so, what matters, if any, had already been referred to it, and by which of the two Boards such reference had been made?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Trevelyan)If the hon. Member will read paragraph (7) of the Minute of 4th February, 1910, constituting the Rural Education Conference, he will there find that the primary duty of the conference is to discuss and advise the two Boards upon all questions connected with education in rural districts which may, from time to time, be referred to them by the two Boards—that is to say, by the two Boards acting together. From paragraph (8) of 1246 the same Minute he will see that the conference is not limited to the discussion of questions formally referred by the two Boards, but it is open to any member of the Conference to propose questions for discussion provided that he gives due notice. The Conference has held a preliminary meeting to settle questions of procedure. The two Boards desire to leave the Conference as free as possible to discuss matters which appear to them to require consideration, and the two Boards are now considering whether there are any particular questions to which they desire that precedence should be given.
§ Mr. CARLILEWhen are the subjects considered by the Boards likely to he available?
§ Mr. TREVELYANI do not suppose there will be any long delay in the matter.