HC Deb 19 July 1911 vol 28 cc1029-30
Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

asked whether, in view of the repeated assurances on the part of the Government that adequate grants would be made by Parliament towards the cost entailed by the medical inspection of school children under the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907, and of the fact that during the last two years the expenditure under this head has been steadily increasing and is already in many cases double the amount originally estimated, and the further fact that the object of medical inspection is of national importance, the President of the Board of Education will take steps to relieve the local education authorities of part of the increasing burden thrown upon them for this purpose?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have constantly stated in this House and elsewhere that the provision of additional funds from Imperial sources in aid of local expenditure on medical inspection can only be dealt with in connection with the general question of the relations between Imperial and local taxation, which are being considered by a Departmental Committee.

Mr. BATHURST

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that this particular matter is brought to the attention of the Departmental Committee?

Mr. W. R. PEEL

Will the right hon. Gentleman give special attention to the case of those authorities who in addition to medical inspection are dealing with medical treatment and spending large sums of money out of the rates?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

No doubt all those questions will be dealt with by the Committee.