HC Deb 13 May 1915 vol 71 c1830
34. Mr. GOLDSTONE

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in a large number of the elementary schools of Liverpool fees are still imposed; whether the conditions under which fees were imposed are reviewed from time to time; and whether any inquiry is held by the Board before consent is given to the imposition of fees in new schools?

Dr. ADDISON

Fees are charged in sixty public elementary schools in Liverpool. In forty-eight of the fee-charging schools the right to charge fees arises from the provisions of Section 2 of the Elementary Education Act, 1891, and is not conferred by the Board under Section 4 of the Act or subject to conditions imposed by them under that Section; in the remaining twelve it does not appear that any occasion has arisen for a review of the conditions on which the Board's sanction was given. Before consenting to a charge of fees the Board assure themselves by inquiry that the conditions prescribed by Section 4 of the Act are satisfied. For further information I may refer my hon. Friend to the answers given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for North Somerset on the 18th May, 1914, copies of which I am sending him.

Mr. KING

Has there been any improvement since answers were given to me on this subject over a year ago?

Dr. ADDISON

I have no information to give in addition to my answer.