§ 22. Sir FREDERICK RICEasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, by reason of the reorganisation of the teaching curriculum at Clacton-on-Sea, 156 children who were attending St. Osyth Road School have been transferred to Holland Road, the latter being made into a senior school, and that these children, acting on the instructions of their parents, have refused to attend Holland Road School, and each morning attend St. Osyth Road School and are refused admission, and so the children thus affected attend neither school; and will he consider the advisability of taking immediate steps to prevent the continuance of this condition?
§ Lord E. PERCYI am aware of the matter referred to. It is primarily one for the local authority to deal with, and, as at present advised, I see no reason for intervening.
§ Sir F. RICEDo I understand that the Ministry have no power in the matter?
§ Lord E. PERCYI do not say that they have no power, but primarily it is the responsibility of a local authority to organise the schools in the best way, in their judgment, for the education of the children. In this case there is a difference of opinion between the local authority and the parents. Such differences of opinion arise not infrequently, and are generally settled locally. I do not think it the place of the Board of Education to intervene or to attempt to overrule the local authority prematurely.