HC Deb 06 April 1911 vol 23 cc2425-6
Mr. ASTOR

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that in April, 1907, the Trustees of Hele's Charity School at Plymouth closed their establishment with the sanction of the Department on condition that application for a new scheme was promoted; whether such application was promptly made, and from that time onwards no effective action has been taken by his Department, with the result that this charity, with an income of about £540 a year, is precluded from assisting the education of poor boys in the district; and what steps are being taken by the Board to fulfil its obligations in the matter?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The Board of Education assented in April, 1907, to the closure of the charity school on the understanding that the trustees would make a formal application sufficient to enable the Board to establish the necessary scheme under the Charitable Trusts Acts for the reorganisation of the charity. No formal application was in fact made, but it has been understood that the trustees were quite ready to apply. The Board were compelled to postpone their action on this, as on numerous other cases, in view of the great pressure of similar work in connection with endowments. More recently, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, a Departmental Committee has been sitting to inquire into the administration of Educational Endowments, and the Board felt it desirable to postpone action on these matters as far as possible pending the receipt of the Committee's Report. I have now, however, given instructions that consideration of the case shall be resumed, and that steps shall be taken with a view to the preparation of a scheme as soon as the formal application is received.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Have any applications been received?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

No formal application has been received.

Lord BALCARRES

Since April, 1907, has no application been received in the interests of this school?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

No. As far as I can find no formal application has been received from this school. We cannot act without a formal application, as the Noble Lord may know.

Mr. SHIRLEY BENN

How soon after formal application is made will the Board of Education see that the income of this charity is used towards the education of these poor boys?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

As soon as formal application is made the case will be proceeded with without any delay whatever.