§ 51. Sir JONAH WALKER-SMITHasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that no reply has been sent to letters dated 19th November, 1935, 6th January, 1936, and 4th February, 1936, from the Barrow-in-Furness local education authority with regard to that authority's proposed arrangements for the award of maintenance allowances under Section 24 of the Education Act, 1921;when the authority may expect to receive a reply to their letters; and whether there is any reason why the authority's scheme cannot be dealt with and approved under the existing grant regulations of the board?
Mr. STANLEYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The policy of the Government is in accord with the resolution passed by this House on 12th February last, to the effect that it is undesirable to make provision for State maintenance grants for children attending public elementary schools during the period of compulsory school attendance. I have, however, felt that it would not be courteous to the House to take action in accordance with this resolution until I have had an opportunity of considering the outcome of any discussions which may arise in the course of the further proceedings on the Education Bill.