§ Sir WILLIAM ANSONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Education a question, of which I have given him private notice: Whether the official communication which appeared in the "Times" newspaper on Tuesday is accurate in representing the intention of the Government to introduce, in the course of next week, an Education Bill of one Clause, concerned with the grant of financial assistance to necessitous local authorities; whether he can state the day on which the Bill will be introduced; and whether the Bill will afford an opportunity for discussing the 1254 educational policy of the Government as sketched in the speeches of the Lord Chancellor and Lord Crewe?
Mr. PEASEI intend to introduce next week, possibly on Tuesday, a one-Clause measure which will overcome certain technical difficulties to enable me to give this year some limited financial assistance to local education authorities. I believe that it is the practice to allow a Minister, when introducing a Bill, some latitude, and I propose to outline certain aspects of the educational policy of the Government. It is, I think, also usual that any matter referred to by a Minister on such an occasion may be subsequently discussed by other Members of the House.
§ Mr. P. ALDENWill the financial assistance be in respect of this or next year?
Mr. PEASEI said I hoped to be able to give some this year. It is with a view to enable me to do so that I propose to introduce the Bill.
§ Sir PHILIP MAGNUSWill adequate time be given for a discussion of the statement that is to be given as to the policy of the Government?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERIs there anything in this year's Estimates that will enable the right hon. Gentleman to give an increased Grant-in-Aid to any of the schools this year?
Mr. PEASEI think the right hon. Gentleman had better wait until I introduce the Bill, when I will make it quite plain.