§ Mr. GOLDSTONEasked whether the right hon. Gentleman has examined other circulars and memoranda which have been issued by permanent officials without his previous knowledge or consent; whether he has discovered any which are not in accord with the policy of the Board; if so, what was the nature of their contents; and will he cause them to be circulated to Members of this House?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have read some Memoranda which have been circulated among members of the staff of the Board without my previous knowledge. It is in accordance with my wish that educational subjects, on which there is wide divergence of view, should be freely discussed and inquiries made amongst the Board's officers under confidential conditions. Some of these Memoranda contain expressions of opinion which I do not share; but Memoranda conveying instructions or advice are in a different category. When instructions or advice are given they are given in unmistakable terms, and are not left to be gathered by inference. I am afraid I cannot undertake to ciruclate the Memoranda referred to above. I could not expect to get the free and helpful discussion I now get from members of my staff if their individual opinions, freely expressed in confidence, were to be subsequently published to the world at large.
§ Mr. GOLDSTONEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there are any similar documents to what is known as the Holmes's Circular in existence at the Board of Education which are not in accord with the policy of the President?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI think that question is the same as the one on the Paper which I have answered fully.
§ Mr. GOLDSTONEMay I ask if the reply is in the affirmative?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe hon. Member had better wait until he gets a copy of my answer, and then he will understand it more clearly.
§ Mr. BYLESIs there no way of bringing the policy of the President into harmony with that of the Permanent Secretary?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe policy of the Permanent Secretary ought to be brought into harmony with that of the President.
§ Mr. EDGAR JONESDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Permanent Secretary should not give his sanction to the issue of circulars affecting appointments by local authorities until they have been first submitted to the President?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have already answered many questions on this subject almost in the same terms as that put by the hon. Member. I cannot add anything to the answers I have already given.
§ Captain KNIGHTasked whether there are any more private and confidential memoranda issued by his Department; and if he will specify those with which he does not agree?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI must refer the hon. Member to the answer I have just given to the hon. Member for Sunderland.