§ 25. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether the Grant payable in respect of the Hellingly (Sussex) Church of England school has been reduced; and, if so, by what amount and for what cause?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. J. A. Pease)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A deduction from the Grant of £15 has been made on account of failure to carry out the Board's requirements in regard to the premises of the school.
§ 26. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that children are being educated in the Church of England school at Hellingly, Sussex, in a shanty which does not belong to the managers, has not been approved by the local education authority, and is in contravention of the rules of the Board, and that application has been made for a Grant in respect of these children; whether he can state whether the managers applied for this Grant by signing Form IX. after they had been duly warned of the illegality; and what steps will be taken to ensure that children, who are being educated with the money provided by rates and taxes, are properly housed in non-provided schools?
§ Mr. PEASEThe building referred to was used until December of last year, although it had never been approved by the Board, and warning had been given in the previous July that its use should be immediately discontiuned. All the attendances of the children accommodated in the building were included in the application for Grant on Form IX. for the year ended 31st January, 1912, in spite of instruc- 196 tions that attendances subsequent to 15th September should be deducted from the total on which the average attendance of the school was calculated. Careful watch is kept by the Board to secure the observance of their requirements with regard to the premises of public elementary schools, and Grant is not paid unless the Board are satisfied that proper accommodation is secured.
§ Mr. PEASEI think it was; it was certainly submitted to the managers. I cannot say whether or not it was actually signed. I think it is necessary at any rate for the forms to pass through their hands.
§ Mr. KINGHas the Board of Education power to deal with managers who try not only to evade the law, but to obtain money by false representations?
§ Mr. PEASEI have no reason to believe that the facts are as stated by the hon. Gentleman. It is quite possible that the managers may have overlooked this particular matter in connection with the calculation.