§ 28. Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Section 13 of the Education Act, 1902, having failed to achieve its intention, there are many thousands of pounds, being educational endowments, accumulating in banks, and that for thirteen years an amendment of the law has been awaited to release these funds and apportion them between their various objects, religious and secular; and whether he will use the opportunity afforded by the party truce and the Coalition Ministry to bring in a Bill which would forthwith free these funds for national objects and so render immediately available material and intellectual forces now bound down by inoperative trusts?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI believe that the facts are substantially as suggested in the question. I am afraid that any Bill for dealing with the funds referred to would be of a controversial character. I may refer the hon. Member to the Report which was made by a Departmental Committee in the year 1911 1322 (Cd. 5662), which will show the great difficulty of dealing with the endowments in question by legislation or otherwise.
§ Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to inquire, especially of the Junior Whip—I mean the recently appointed Junior Whip, who went over from this side of the House—who was a member of this Committee, whether there might not be a possibility by agreement between the different parties of releasing a large sum of money?