HC Deb 06 July 1914 vol 64 cc814-5
30. Mr. REMNANT

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will say if Mr. Geoffrey Shaw, one of the Board of Education inspectors of music, had official authority for stating to the students of the Saltley Training College, Birmingham, at his visit of inspection in May last, that tonic sol-fa will disappear from the schools in a year or so and that the certificates of the Tonic Sol-fa College are of no value whatever with education committees now?

Mr. PEASE

The inspector informs me that the statement attributed to him is an inaccurate representation of what he actually said in conversation with an individual student. The views of the Board on the subject are expressed in a letter to the Tonic Sol-fa College of 8th March, 1909, and I have no reason to suppose that they are not loyally followed by His Majesty's inspectors.

Mr. REMNANT

Is it a fact that these certificates are of no value whatever, and will he say what the inspector is doing?

Mr. PEASE

This was a conversation with the students and apparently there is a difference of opinion as to exactly what the course of conversation was. I understand from the inspector that he is loyally carrying out the wishes of the Board.

Mr. REMNANT

Are these certificates of any value?

Mr. PEASE

I would like notice of that question.

Mr. REMNANT

I gave notice of it in the last part of my question.