§ 35. Lord EUSTACE PERCYasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will communicate to the departmental committee appointed to consider the problem of private schools the statement of policy made on behalf of the Labour party to the Association of Head Mistresses in 1929, in regard to the inspection and licensing such schools?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANNo, Sir. I do not propose to attempt to influence the committee in any way. The Joint Committee of the Four Secondary Associations, of which the Association of Head Mistresses is one, has been invited to submit evidence.
§ Lord E. PERCYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that this very remarkable declaration of policy is one which would interest the committee and also interest the public?
§ 36. Lord E. PERCYasked the President of the Board of Education which of the 16 members of the departmental committee appointed to consider the problem of private schools, besides the chairmen of the independent and preparatory schools associations, have qualifications which entitle them to represent private schools; and which of them are members or servants of associations or public authorities which have formulated official views as to the inspection and licensing of private schools?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANNone of the members of the committee other than the two members referred to by the Noble Lord can be said to be representative of the private schools, though no doubt several of them have experience of such schools. According to my information the following members of the committee are members or servants of associations or public authorities which have formulated official views as to the inspection or licensing of private schools: Mr. Chuter Ede, Alderman Askew, Miss 1138 Crosthwaite, Mrs. Manning, Mr. Maxwell, Mr. Wagner, and Mr. Warren.
§ Lord E. PERCYDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that in appointing a committee upon a subject, which the party to which he belongs has already pre-judged, he has exercised the care which he should have exercised to ensure impartial consideration?
§ Sir C. TREVELYANYes, Sir, I think that I have appointed an excellent and impartial committee.
§ Lord E. PERCYrose—
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThis is developing into a Debate, Mr. Speaker. That is what you tell me when I ask supplementaries.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI wish the hon. Member would allow me to conduct the Business.
§ Lord E. PERCYI wish to give notice that, in view of the curious attitude of the right hon. Gentleman, I shall raise this question on the Adjournment.