79. Captain FABERasked the President of the Board of Education whether any inquiry has yet been made or begun into the Butlock's Heath school dispute; and whether Miss Watts has obtained another appointment as school mistress?
§ 80. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he can report, a settlement of the educational strike at Butlock's Heath, Hants; and, if not, whether he will now give instructions to hold an inquiry into the grounds of the discontent shown by the parents and inhabitants?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Pease)No inquiry has been made by the Board other than the special inspection of the school made by His Majesty's Inspector at the request of the local education authority in February last, and I do not think that the occasion for an inquiry by the Board has arisen. I understand that the elementary education sub-committee of the authority have given the most careful consideration to all the facts of the case and that their recommendations will come before the education committee on 25th July next when I hope to be in possession of the decision of the authority. So far as I am aware, Miss Watts has not been appointed to the staff of any public elementary school.
Captain FABERDoes Miss Watts' employment rest with the head master with whom she was employed and from whom she got her dismissal?
§ Mr. PEASENo. I do not think that that is quite correct. Miss Watts has been given a testimonial, I believe, by the local education authority of such a character as to enable her to obtain another position in another school should she apply for it.
Captain FABERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that only the other day she asked the head master for a character, and he refused it?
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole of this locality is looking for a solution of this difficulty, that he is the only man who can give it, and that the only way he can give it is by granting an inquiry?
§ Mr. PEASEI have looked into this matter, and I think that I am aware of the facts. As stated, one of the officials of the Board has been in communication with the representatives of the local education authority, and my colleagues at the Board of Education also saw Miss Watts; and I think that the hon. Member and the hon. and gallant Member opposite will probably find that this matter will be satisfactorily solved if they have a little further patience. There is going to be a metting on 25th July, when the sub-committee of the education com- 599 mittee will report to the larger committee, and then we shall be in possession of more facts.