§ 39. Captain SPENCERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education if he will state whether it was on the advice of the Board of Supervision that he took into consideration the proposal to close the Chester Training College; and upon how many occasions and on what dates he consulted with the governing body?
§ 42. Sir CHARLES CAYZERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can now make any statement on behalf of the Board with regard to the closing of the three Church training colleges in view of the adverse vote to the proposal to close those colleges last week in the Church Assembly?
§ 46. Mr. SUTCLIFFEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education if he will state the present position as regards the proposal to close the Chester Training College?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)As I explained in my answer to the hon. Member for the 1165 University of Wales (Mr. E. Evans), on 22nd December last, it was after consultation with the Board of Supervision that the Board of Education proposed the temporary closure of the Chester Training College. The governing body of the college were consulted in an official letter of 30th November, and a deputation of their representatives to discuss the matter was received by the Board on 7th December, 1932. In view of the resolution adopted by the Church Assembly last week, further consideration has now been given to this matter and it is not proposed to proceed with the temporary closure of the three Church training colleges. A notification to this effect was sent to each of the colleges on 14th February.
§ Mr. GRAHAM WHITEWill my hon. Friend in order to clear up the misapprehension which exists in some quarters make it clear that this is not a reprieve, but that the matter has been finally settled?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMNo definite period has been mentioned by the Board of Education. There is no question therefore of a reprieve, definite or indefinite.
§ Mr. LOUIS SMITHAre we to understand that the question will not be again raised, and that these colleges will not be closed during the present year?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMThe question is in the hands of the Church Assembly and the Board of Supervision. How they may decide to meet the problem in the future I cannot say.
§ Mr. SMITHWill the hon. Gentleman take the necessary steps to let those responsible for the colleges know at an early date what their ultimate fate is to be?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMThe policy of the board, involving a reduction in the number of entrants to the colleges, will have to be carried out, and it will be for the Church Assembly, or indirectly the Board of Supervision, to see in what way they will meet the financial problem involved.