HC Deb 19 July 1927 vol 209 cc207-8
11 and 12. Mr. WESTWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if there are any private schools in Scotland recognised by the Scottish Education Department; if so, how many; and in which education areas are they situated; and

(2) if there are any private schools in Scotland which receive grants from the Scottish Education Department payable out of the Scottish Education Fund; and, if so, what is the system regulating payment of grant?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)

A complete list of the schools which receive grants from the Scottish Education Department is given in Table 1 of the Department's Annual Return. Where the school is not under the direct control of an education authority, the name is printed in italic type, and the grant is paid either out of the Education (Scotland) Fund, under the Miscellaneous Grants Regulations, 1925, or out of the Vote, under the Regulations as to Reformatory and Industrial Schools, 1921. Apart from grant-earning schools, between 50 and 60 private schools in Scotland are annually inspected by the Department in virtue of the powers conferred by Section 19 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1878, and many of them present their pupils for the leaving certificate examination. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the latest list of these private schools grouped under education areas.

13. Mr. WESTWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he takes to ensure that the education provided for children in private schools is of an equal standard to that demanded by the Department in schools controlled by the education authorities?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Unless any question arises as to the adequacy of the school accommodation provided by an education authority, the Department have no statutory right to inquire into the education provided for children in private schools or to determine its standard.

Mr. WESTWOOD

Are we to understand that any parent can send his children to a private school without their having to undergo the same scheme of examination they would have to undergo in an ordinary publicly-controlled school?

Sir J. GILMOUR

It is the duty of the education authority to ensure that every child in its area receives efficient education, whether in a public or a private school or otherwise.

Mr. WESTWOOD

Am I to understand that education authorities can demand that pupils of given ages must be presented for examination by the authorities' inspectors?

Sir J. GILMOUR

They must be satisfied that the child is being properly educated.

Mr. SHEPHERD

Are these schools in all cases inspected by the board, or are there any exceptions?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I am sending the hon. Member a list of all the schools that are excepted.