§ 35. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that £14,065 are contributed by the school pence of children in ordinary public elementary schools to the managers of voluntary schools, who use this money for their own purposes and not for directly educational purposes; and whether these school managers are expected to maintain their premises in superior conditions as to buildings or equipment?
§ Sir J. D. REESBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask him does he accept or condone the aspersion it contains on the character of the managers of voluntary schools?
Mr. PEASEIt does not make any aspersion at all. I do not admit it. I am fully aware of the circumstances in which fees are paid to the managers of voluntary schools under Section 14 of the Act of 1902, which does not impose any special obligation on the managers for the 816 improvement or equipment of the school premises.
§ Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that these managers who have fees from the scholars keep their premises absolutely up to the mark?
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider that it is an aspersion on the conduct of the managers to say that they use the money for their own purposes and not directly for educational purposes?
Mr. PEASEIt all depends what you mean by "their own purposes." If their own purposes are the improvement of the schools, it would be open to argument whether it was for the improvement of education or for the improvement of premises; but I do not accept it as making any aspersion on the managers.
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider that an aspersion on the managers is intended in the form of the question?
§ 36. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that 138,693 children are paying school pence in 400 of the ordinary public elementary schools of England; whether the education in these schools is of a higher grade than in those ordinary schools in which school pence are not paid; and, if so, in what respect?
Mr. PEASEI am naturally aware of the figures, which are taken from a Return supplied at the request of the hon. Member. These fees are charged under a law which does not necessarily require the instruction to be of a higher character than in ordinary schools, and in a great majority of cases the fees are of old standing.
§ Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman take the opportunity now afforded by these large new Grants that are being voted to sweep away these old fees under an old law?
§ Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to take up the whole matter later on in Debate?