HC Deb 14 September 1914 vol 66 cc775-6
Sir HENRY CRAIK

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is the case that the Scottish Education Department have refused the request of the Glasgow School Board that the time given by school boys as orderlies should be counted as school attendance, although the officer commanding recruits in Glasgow and the Scottish branch of the Red Cross Society have asked for their services; whether the school board has decided so to reckon these services, in spite of the Department's opposition; and whether he is prepared to reconsider the Department's decision?

The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)

The matter is not within the discretion of the Department at all. The amount of money involved is trivial.

Sir H. CRAIK

Is it not the case that the Department has been appealed to and declined sanction not on the ground that it was not within their power, but stating they were unable to sanction the proposal of the Glasgow School Board? Is not that the case?

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER (Mr. Whitley)

I understand the right hon. Gentleman said it was not within the powers of the Department.

Sir H. CRAIK

I am now asking the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not the case that the question was asked of the Department, and the Department refused to sanction it?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The question was asked of the Department; the Department did not refuse because it had not the power to do it.

Sir H. CRAIK

Is it not the case—

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

If the hon. Member has a further question let him put it down for to-morrow?

Sir H. CRAIK

I have a further question.

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

Put it down for to-morrow.

Sir H. CRAIK

I only got a shifty answer.