§ 17. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that His Majesty's inspector's report of Butlock's Heath School, Hampshire, last year complained of continued faults in management and condemned the unpunctuality and backward condition of the scholars; that the managers have urged that the present head-master should be removed owing to his unpopularity with the parents and recent trouble in the school; and that the local education authority has concurred with the managers' view of the state of the school and need for the master's retirement; and whether he will obtain a special report on this school from His Majesty's inspector and communicate such report to the local education authority and the parish council of Otterbourne?
Mr. PEASEThe report made by His Majesty's inspector in February, 1913, contained passages to the effect mentioned by the hon. Member. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, I may refer to the answer given to my hon. Friend on 6th August last, a copy of which I am sending him. The inspector visited the school in April last. He informs me that he found it in excellent order, and that the attendance is now very regular. The school will be inspected in the ordinary course during the current educational year, and a copy of the inspector's report will be forwarded to the local education authority. It is not the practice of the Board to forward a copy of the report to the parish council.
§ Mr. KINGDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that there are some especial difficulties in the case of this school, and will he allow matters to go on in the ordinary course without taking: any steps to remedy those conditions?
Mr. PEASEThe school will be reported upon shortly, and I will consider the most recent report as to the condition of the school.