§ 25. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will inquire of the trustees of the charities of Ewell, Surrey, how many meetings of the trustees have been held and on what dates during the last three years; whether the representative trustees were consulted before the requests and communications put forward as the wishes and views of all the trustees were presented to the Board; and whether all due formalities will be observed and properly certified before the money of these charities is allowed to be paid over for the building of a Church of England school at Ewell?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. J. A. Pease)I see no ground for making the inquiry suggested by the hon. Member. I have no information to show that all the trustees were not consulted on any proposals made to the Board. I have no reason to suppose that the trustees will not observe all due formalities in dealing with the funds of the charities.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that allegations are being made which render this transaction, at any rate, suspicious and liable to be upset later on by decisions of the Courts of Law, and will he therefore make inquiry?
§ Mr. PEASEIf a primâ facie case is made out, of course I will make further inquiries, but I have no information which would justify me at the present moment in making inquiries.