§ 26. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Board in 1904 instructed the managers of the Hurdstone Church of England school, Macclesfield, to alter a dangerous staircase and in 1908 threatened to withdraw the Grant; whether the various representations made from 1904 to the the present time have been followed by the required alteration on the part of the managers; and, if not, what action he proposes to take?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. J. A. Pease)The Board have pressed for the reconstruction of this staircase on several occasions and threatened a deduction of Grant in 1910. Improvements of a temporary nature were effected in the staircase last year, but its reconstruction in a permanently satisfactory manner has been postponed, along with the other improvements required in the premises, mainly in consequence of the prolonged negotiations for the sale of the premises to the local education authority. As the negotiations have proved abortive, the Authority now propose to make other provision.
§ Mr. KINGIn giving larger Grants than have been previously given, will the right hon. Gentleman provide that a school of this class, which has defied the authority for nine years, shall not share equally with schools brought up to date?
§ Mr. PEASEI shall endeavour to do my best to bring any authorities who are behind up to a reasonable standard of efficiency.
§ Mr. PEASEIt is only by making deductions from the Grants that I have any power to put pressure on the authorities.
§ 27. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether the premises in Trinity Square used as part of the Hurdstone Church of England school, Macclesfield, were closed in January last as dangerous; whether it is intended that they shall remain closed; what was their recognised accommodation; and whether suitable provision has been or will be made for the children displaced?
§ Mr. PEASEThe premises, which provided accommodation for 239 girls and 185 infants, were closed as stated, and it appears unlikely that they will be reopened. The displaced children have been accommodated temporarily in other public elementary schools, and the local education authority are finding a site for a new school, notices of which have been issued and have expired.
§ Mr. KINGCan the right hon. Gentleman say how long the Department knew that those schools were in a dangerous condition before they were closed?