HC Deb 19 July 1912 vol 41 cc666-7
40. Captain WARING

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that amalgamations of school districts are ordered by the Scottish Education Department after an inquiry, the Report of which is treated as secret, he will direct that the considerations which led the Department, which in these cases acts as judge and jury, to order amalgamation shall in future be set out in the annual Report of that Department, or otherwise laid upon the Table, in order that notice may be taken of the administration of the Scottish Education Department in this House?

Mr. PIRIE

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask him if there is not greater need for publicity owing to the fact that anyone connected with the teaching profession in Scotland who holds views or expresses views antagonistic to the views of the Scottish Education Department becomes a marked man, and his chances of promotion in the teaching profession are prejudiced by any request he may make?

The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)

I am unable to discover any relevancy between the question put orally by the hon. Gentleman and the question on the Paper. The answer to the question on the Paper is, that the procedure followed by the Scotch Education Department in adjudicating upon proposals for amalgamation of school boards under Section 22 of the Act of 1908 is in accordance with the terms of the Act. The procedure is as follows: The Department only acts upon application from a school board, which has to state its reasons in favour of amalgamation. These are sent by the Department to the other board or boards concerned, who are asked for their observations, and given every opportunity of stating objections. Sometimes agree- ment is arrived at, but, if not, then an inquiry is held at which both sides are represented and state their respective cases in public. The decision of the Department is communicated in draft form to the school boards concerned, and forty-days are allowed for the stating of further objections or the suggestion of modifications. It seems to me that this procedure provides ample safeguards for every interest.

MARQUESS Of TULLIBARDINE

Who is it settles the matter finally; who is the arbiter?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The Act of Parliament gives the power to the Scottish Education Department, and the Vice-President of the Council is the person responsible to Parliament for the decision.

Mr. PIRIE

Will the right hon. Gentleman once and for all settle the mystery of who is the Scottish Education Department. Does he agree with his subordinate, the Lord Advocate, that the Scottish Education Department is Sir John Struthers and no other, or is it himself?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I am afraid my hon. Friend's sense of humour was not employed in estimating the intention of the Lord Advocate's reply. I think that reply was intended as a pleasant jest.

Mr. PIRIE

Not by him.