§ Mr. ALBERT SMITHasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the West Riding County Council are compelling the education authority of the borough of Todmorden to charge a fee of £6 6s. per year to scholars attending the secondary school, which had previously been free; and whether he will take steps to prevent such a course from being put into operation, which is calculated to be a hardship on the poorer parents and exclude a great many children from receiving the benefits of a higher education?
§ Mr. TREVELYANI understand that the West Riding County Council have made it a condition of their giving financial assistance to the school that fees shall be charged. The Board of Education have no power to interfere with the discretion of the county council as to the conditions subject to which they will aid schools out of their own funds. If and when the school becomes in fact a fee-charging school it will be required by the Board to offer the full 25 per cent. of free places under Article 20 of the Regulations for Secondary Schools.
§ Mr. ALBERT SMITHDoes not the Board of Education think that six guineas a year is too large a sum to charge?
§ Mr. TREVELYANThat would be considered in dealing with the question.
§ Mr. MORRELLHas the Board of Education made representations to the county council in this matter?
§ Mr. TREVELYANI do not know. If my hon. Friend will put a question on the Paper, I will ascertain.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXMay I ask whether this state of things is not due to the increasing expenditure, and to the diminished proportion of Government assistance?
§ Mr. TREVELYANI do not know what are the motives of the West Riding County Council.
§ Mr. HIGHAMMay I ask whether, before the payment of the six guineas becomes compulsory it will have to be sanctioned by the Board of Education if grants are given to the school?
§ Mr. TREVELYANIn giving grants, all questions of that kind have to be considered by the Board.