§ 12. Mr. GEORGE ROBERTSasked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been directed officially to the state of affairs now obtaining in the schools under the control of the county council of Herefordshire; if so, what action has been taken in the matter; and what further steps, if any, the Board propose to take to bring about a settlement of the present dispute between the local education authority and the teachers?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. J. A. Pease)My attention has been directed to the matter in connection with official correspondence, and I need hardly say that I have watched with grave concern the development of the dispute between the local education authority in the county of Herefordshire and a large number of teachers in their service. My intervention has not been invited by the local education authority, and I have no power to intervene except in particular cases where the provisions of the Code are violated, or where it is shown that the local education authority have failed to maintain and keep efficient the public elementary schools in their area, or where a question has arisen between the local education authority and the managers of voluntary schools which is referred to the Board for determination. I have, however, both officially and personally, intimated the willingness of the Board to use their good offices to further a settlement of the dispute. I have reason to hope that the last word has not been said on either side, and I am hopeful that the negotiations which are now pro-feeding will lead to an early settlement.