§ 9. Mr. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities have submitted schemes of educational work as contemplated by the Education Act, 1918; have the Board adopted any general policy of approving or disapproving of such schemes; what was the date when the Board received the scheme drawn up by the London County Council; have the Board addressed any communication to the London County Council on that scheme; and what has been the nature of such communication or communications?
§ Lord E. PERCYNinety-nine local authorities submitted schemes. The details of these schemes were discussed with the authorities, but in view of the financial position existing at the time my predecessors in office did not feel justified in giving their statutory approval to the schemes which would make it obligatory upon the authorities to give effect to them. The scheme prepared by the London County Council was received by the Board on the 27th July, 1920, and it was subsequently intimated to the council that in the then existing circumstances the Board would have to defer the question of giving statutory approval to the scheme. The hon. Member is, I think, aware of the position in regard to the programmes submitted by local authorities under Circular 1358.