HC Deb 27 June 1910 vol 18 cc675-8
Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will reconsider his decision to refuse recognition of the Towyn Church schools from 30th June next, in view of the fact that the first intimation given by the Board of Education to this effect was given on 16th June last,, and in view of the fact that the Church of England parents in the district are desirous of petitioning the Board to continue recognition of the only school in the Towyn district where their children can receive religious instruction in accordance with the faith of their parents; and whether the Board of Education still requires trustees of a voluntary school to give eighteen months' notice before they can close their school?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Trevelyan)

With regard to the first part of the question, I do not think the date fixed for the school to be removed from the Annual Grant List will cause hardship to anyone concerned. The majority of the children concerned will merely return to the school in which they were being educated quite contentedly I believe, until about two months ago; the only qualified teacher in the school left without notice on 17th April; and all expenditure properly incurred by the managers will, of course, be met from the usual sources. I considered all the circumstances of the case before I came to my decision, which I cannot now review. With regard to the second part of the question, the Board still require security in the case of new voluntary schools that they shall not be closed without eighteen months' notice having been given to the local education authority and to the Board, but the requirement would not, of course, be pressed where no inconvenience would result from the earlier closure of such a school.

Lord HUGH CECIL

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman refuses to give an opportunity to parents to petition the Board of Education to continue religious education in this school?

Mr. TREVELYAN

My right hon. Friend has considered the whole circumstances, with the result I have stated.

Lord HUGH CECIL

Will the hon. Member answer my question—Do the Board of Education refuse—[Interruptions.]

Mr. SPEAKER

I think the Noble Lord had better put the question on the Paper.

Lord HUGH CECIL

Then I will ask the Prime Minister if he will put down the Education Estimate for as early date.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether he proposes to sanction a scheme put forward by the Merionethshire education authority for enlarging the Towyn council school, at considerable expense to the ratepayers; and whether such enlargement is rendered necessary by the refusal of the Board of Education to continue recognition of the Towyn Church school, now attended by more than fifty children?

Mr. TREVELYAN

The Board recently approved plans for the improvement of the school premises, subject to certain modifications. The improvements include the provision of additional class-rooms, which are needed for purposes of organisation. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. The plans were under consideration before any question of closing the Towyn Church school arose, and quite irrespective of the Board's decision in that case. As the hon. Member has again referred to the number at present in attendance at the school, I must remind him that the Board are called upon to consider the average, not the maximum, attendance. The average attendance for the past two years has not been above twenty.

Mr. CLOUGH

asked whether any religious instruction is given during compulsory school hours in the Towyn Council school; whether the religious syllabus, if any, of the Merionethshire education authority provides for imparting any instruction which is not in accordance with the faith of Church of England parents; and whether any Church of England parents have ever availed themselves of the conscience clause so as to withdraw their children during the period allocated to religious instruction by the time-table of the Towyn Council school?

Mr. TREVELYAN

I understand that religious instruction is given in all the council schools of the Merionethshire County Council according to a fixed syllabus. I am afraid I am not competent to answer the second part of the question, but I understand that a prominent local Churchman took a leading part in drawing up the syllabus. As regards the third part of the question, I have not heard of any withdrawal.

Lord HUGH CECIL

Does the hon. Member think that parents are not the best judges of what religious education is suitable for their children?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Is there any inspection of the religious instruction in the council school?

Mr. TREVELYAN

I do not know whether there is any inspection.