§ 40. Mr. HURDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in responding to the requests of the universities for State grants, he will consider the desirability of transferring to them in each university area the duty of inspecting elementary schools on a simpler and less rigid scale than is now carried out from Whitehall, thus affecting four reforms, namely, reestablishing the finances of the universities on a grant-earning basis, eliminating overlapping and over-elaboration of inspections as now carried out by the Ministry of Education and the local educational authorities, saving a considerable part of the present cost of inspections, and quickening local interest and initiative in educational progress?
§ Sir R. HORNEI cannot add anything to the reply given to my hon. Friend on the 20th instant by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education.
§ Sir R. HORNEI have considered every possibility of reduction of expenditure.