§ 57. Mr. HURDasked the President of the Board of Education what economies are in progress to avoid overlapping in the, inspection of schools; and whether he is aware that in the case of some schools no fewer than 11 separate county and Whitehall inspections are enforced, with the effect of confusing both teachers and scholars and destroying local educational initiative.
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher)The Board make endeavours to avoid any overlapping of the kind to which the hon. Member refers, and have made effective arrangements with many local education authorities to avoid duplication of inspection. I am not aware of the instances referred to by the hon. Member, but if I am furnished with particulars I shall be happy to make further inquiries.
§ Mr. HURDHave not cases been brought to the right hon. Gentleman's notice of persistent overlapping of Whitehall and local inspections?
§ Mr. FISHERNo, they have not, but I should be glad to look into them if they were.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYIs it not the right hon. Gentleman's duty to see that such gross waste of public money is stopped, and in any case that there should not be 11 inspections of one school in one year by various inspectors?
§ Mr. FISHERI do not admit the facts, and I have already stated that I should be delighted to look into these alleged facts.
§ Mr. HURDDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that a village school- 1770 master dare not bring these facts to light? It is the business of the Department itself to make inquiries.