§ 11. Mr. MOUNTasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the non-provided school at Tudhoe is threatened with refusal of maintenance by the county council of Durham if certain additions and alterations are not carried out by the managers before 31st August; and whether, in view of the increase in the cost of building and the urgent necessity of economising both capital and labour at the present time, he will see that the time for carrying out these works is extended to a reasonable term after the termination of the War, and that meanwhile no steps are taken which might be prejudicial to the carrying on of the school?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board have already twice informed the managers that they will take into consideration any delays for which the managers are not responsible. I have no doubt that the local education authority, who are primarily responsible for seeing that the managers comply with the conditions of maintenance, will, in spite of the long delay which has occurred, make reasonable allowance for existing circumstances
§ Mr. MOUNTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that assent was not given to any alterations until June of last year?
§ Mr. LEWISThat may be, but the matter has been proceeding since 1012. The Board of Education has been in communication with the managers, who have made representations as to postponing the date of completion.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware: first, that this school has had the necessitous Grant from the Government; secondly, that it has been overcrowded for many years past; and thirdly, that it stands in a particularly wealthy colliery district where large profits are being made?
§ Mr. JONATHAN SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this county authority very often receives reports from the Board of Education inspectors asking them to see that these alterations are carried out?
§ Mr. KINGIf the questions which have been put forward cannot be answered now, will the right hon. Gentleman look into them?
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs it not the case that any Grant given to such a school as this must have been given more than fifteen years ago?
§ 12. Mr. MOUNTasked the President of the Board of Education whether an application has been made to him by the Devon County Council to close a non-provided school at Loxbeare; whether he is aware that the average attendance has been increased at this school of late, and that the local education authority only decided to abide by their decision to close the school on the casting vote of the chairman; and whether, in view of these facts, he will withhold his assent to the proposal to close this school?
§ Mr. LEWISI am aware of the recent rise in the attendance at this school, and am now in communication with the local education authority upon the case.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the average attendance at this school is only fifteen, that therefore it is a very expensive school to carry on, and that there is another school—a very small school—in the neighbourhood?