§ Mr. W. ABRAHAM (Rhondda)asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the fact that in reply to an application to the principal of the Portsmouth Day Training College from Janet M. John, of the Park Council School, Rhondda, who had duly passed the Board of Education preliminary certificate examination, and thereby was qualified for admission into a training college, the principal of the college had informed the applicant that, other things being equal, she preferred English girls, meaning thereby that she preferred English girls to Welsh girls in the said training college; whether the practice obtaining at the college is in accordance with the regulations under which the college receives grants from public moneys; and, if it is not so, whether he will inquire how long the practice referred to has been followed by the principal, and how many Welsh girls have been penalised in consequence thereof, and give directions for the practice to be immediately discontinued?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have no information as to the case referred to, but if an appeal is made to the Board full inquiry will be made as to whether the action of the training college authorities is reasonable. The Board allow a preference to be given to candidates coming from particular areas, provided adequate cause is shown for the preference.