§ 14. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that £26,331 were paid last year as school pence in 141 ordinary elementary schools in twenty cathedral cities of England, in respect of 61,850 children, these fees are imposed in order to make these schools socially select by excluding children who cannot afford to pay; and whether the Board of Education sanctions the policy of grading public schools in accordance with the financial means of the parents?
Mr. PEASEI have no evidence that the facts stated in the question warrant the conclusion suggested. The Board do not countenance any such policy as is referred to in the last part of the question.