HC Deb 22 March 1910 vol 15 cc937-8
Mr. LANE-FOX

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any application has been made to the Board for the building of a Roman Catholic school at Moorthorpe, in the township of South Kirkby, in the West Riding of Yorkshire; and whether, if such application is made and is opposed by the local education authority, he will cause a public local inquiry to be held before giving his decision?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

On the 31st December, 1909, the Board received a printed copy of a notice of the intention of certain persons to provide a new public elementary school for about 120 children at Moorthorpe, in the rural district of Hemsworth. The notice states that religious instruction will be given in the proposed new school in accordance with the doctrines of the Catholic Church. On the 17th March, 1910, an appeal against the proposal was received from the local education authority. The Board have not yet received formal evidence of the publication of the notice, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Education Act, 1902. As soon as this evidence is received the Board will proceed to consider the pro- posal, and the appeal against it. I am not yet in a position to say whether a public local inquiry will be necessary.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

If the appeal is in order, is the right hon. Gentleman not bound to grant a local inquiry?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

If the hon. Gentleman wishes to know about this particular case he had better put a question on the Paper. I have given all the information I can give at present.