HC Deb 18 May 1911 vol 25 cc2139-40
Mr. WILLIAM PEEL

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any and, if so, how many of the officials of the Board of Education engaged in the preparation of evening school regulations have ever taught in or been responsible for the conduct of an evening school, and during what periods?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Runciman)

The officers concerned are very well qualified for the work they are required to do. An analysis of their qualifications on the lines suggested would not be relevant to the purposes for which the regulations are framed.

Mr. PEEL

Does the right hon. Gentleman then consider that practical experience in these matters is a positive disqualification?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have never said so. That is a matter of opinion.

Mr. HOARE

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in preparing regulations for the conduct of day and evening schools, elementary and secondary, it is the practice of the Board to obtain advice from those who, by long experience as local administrators or teachers, are familiar with the work of such schools; whether he is aware that regulations prepared and published under the present system frequently evoke considerable criticism, and often have to be hastily changed; whether the Consultative Committee of the Board of Education was established by Parliament for the purpose of advising the Board on educational questions; and whether any of the regulations affecting the schools of the country are ever submitted to the Consultative Committee for their advice before publication?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I must refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on this subject on 20th April and 2nd and 8th May, to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. HOARE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has not answered the last part of my question?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

If the hon. Gentleman refers to the Consultative Committee it is quite true that the Consultative Committee was established by Parliament. That is information which is given in the question.

Mr. HOARE

The last part of my question is "whether any of the regulations affecting the schools of the country are ever submitted to the Consultative Committee for their advice before publication"?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

If the hon. Member wants a return of the subjects submitted to the Consultative Committee I shall be very glad to let him have it. He will then see the subjects which have been dealt with and which are being dealt with.

Mr. HOARE

Are the regulations included in the subjects dealt with by the Consultative Committee?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The hon. Gentleman must know the subject discussed by the Consultative Committee must necessarily deal with the regulations.