44. Lieut.-Colonel Sandeman Allenasked the President of the Board of Education whether the board will refund to the local education authority 50 per cent. of the cost of special placers which the Birkenhead school is compelled to accept as a condition of the grant received from the Board of Education?
Mr. StanleyIf the local education authority were to pay the whole or part of the fees of special place pupils at the Birkenhead school, this expenditure would attract the usual 50 per cent. grant from the board. I understand, however, that no such payment is at present made by the authority.
Lieut.-Colonel Sandeman AllenIn the event of the Birkenhead school failing to carry on, will not the cost to the corporation and the ratepayers be considerably increased?
51. Lieut.-Colonel Sandeman Allenasked the President of the Board of Education whether, if the Birkenhead school ceases to function, it will be necessary for the council to spend money in increasing the accommodation in secondary schools?
Mr. StanleyThis would be a matter for the consideration of the local education authority. I understand that the existing secondary school accommodation would not be sufficient to accommodate the local boys now attending Birkenhead school.
Lieut.-Colonel Sandeman AllenAm I to understand that it is the intention to build a new school in place of this school?
Mr. StanleyI did not say it was intended to build a new school, but that the existing accommodation would have to be extended.