§ 27. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the London Education Committee is proposing to close the Hortensia Street, Chelsea, secondary school for girls and to open a new, smaller, and less conveniently placed school in its place; whether there has been any attempt made to find out and satisfy the wishes of parents and ratepayers; and whether, as required by Section 2 (2) of the Education Act of 1902, the Board of Education has been consulted in the matter?
Mr. PEASEThe London County Council propose to remove the girls' school referred to from its existing premises. The-accommodation provided has been in excess of the number of pupils, and the-county council propose therefore to transfer the girls' school to a building to be erected on a contiguous site approved by-the Board, and to use the existing building for the boys' school, hitherto conducted under unfavourable conditions in the buildings of the South Western Polytechnic. The Board have been consulted in the matter. I am unable to say if steps have been taken by the county council to 197 find out the wishes of parents and ratepayers. No protests have been received by the Board.