HC Deb 13 March 1922 vol 151 cc1769-70
57. Mr. HURD

asked 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. HURD

Have not cases been brought to the right hon. Gentleman's notice of persistent overlapping of Whitehall and local inspections?

Mr. FISHER

No, they have not, but I should be glad to look into them if they were.

Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEY

Is 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. FISHER

I do not admit the facts, and I have already stated that I should be delighted to look into these alleged facts.

Mr. HURD

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that a village school- master dare not bring these facts to light? It is the business of the Department itself to make inquiries.

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