THE BISHOP OF SALISBURYasked the Lord President of the Council, in reference to the voluntary schools at Devizes, what was the nature of the information desired by the Education Department which had not been obtained by Her Majesty's Inspector Mr. Brodie's recent visit to that place, and if he could state when the Department would be able to answer the offer of the Devizes Day School Association to supply any deficiency of accommodation that might be found to exist upon the closing of the British schools? He desired to explain in a few words the reasons for making this request. Devizes comprised about 7,000 inhabitants with the usual variety of schools, including one Roman Catholic and, until lately, one British school. The last named was a good school, with a needlessly expensive staff, and an attendance of 300 scholars. In November last it was resolved to close the school at the end of February. As soon as possible the managers of the other schools formed themselves into a Day School Association and declared themselves ready to supply any deficiency that might occur. The managers of the British School openly and avowedly determined to close it in the hope that a School Board might be forced upon the town. Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools for the district had expressed his approval of that course, and the Association had called the attention of the Department to so strange a proceeding, in the hope that it might receive the censure it seemed to call for, and he received something like a reprimand for having entered into the arena in this matter. Since that time the Association had been endeavouring, to ascertain whether their offer to supply the deficiency would be accepted. Another Inspector, Mr. Brodie, had been sent down to make inquiry and report upon the circumstances of the case, and us to what was necessary to be done. Of 654 the contents of the Report the Association had been kept in ignorance; and he therefore begged to ask the question which stood in his name.
THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND SECRETARY OF STATE OF INDIA (The Earl of Kimberley)My Lords the Department desire to obtain perfectly accurate information as to the deficiency which may exist in the school accommodation at Devizes, and with that view they have requested the School Attendance Committee of the Town Council to take a census of children of school age in the borough. They do not feel able to give an answer to those who propose to supply the deficiency until they have acquired the information they desire. I am not able to tell the right rev. Prelate how soon that information will be obtained, but that will depend upon the Committee, which I trust will soon be in a position to furnish it.
THE BISHOP OF SALISBURYasked what was to be done with the 359 children who would be turned out of the school on the 28th February next.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYIf the right rev. Prelate will give notice of his question I will endeavour to answer it.