HC Deb 23 June 1931 vol 254 cc227-8
57. Brigadier-General MAKINS

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the policy of certain county councils in sanctioning public assistance for evening classes of a cultural rather than an educational character, which are being organised for adults by voluntary societies; whether official approval is given to the contribution to such classes of five-sixths of the cost from public funds; and what generally is the policy of his Department on this subject?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Morgan Jones)

The Board's regulations contemplate assistance being given to evening courses of a general or cultural character as well as those of a vocational type, and the Board also stress the importance of co-operation in this work between the local education authorities and voluntary organisations. Subject to the observance of the regulations it is the Board's policy to leave to the local authorities the greatest possible discretion as to the precise arrangements to be made, and the amount of assistance to be given.