Captain GUESTasked the President of the Board of Education whether his atten- 776W tion had been called to the allegations made against Mr. White, headmaster of the Kingston Magna School, near Gillingham, Dorset, to the effect that during the election he employed the children of his school for the distribution of political leaflets, and otherwise used his position for party purposes; whether any inquiries have been made by the Board into the matter; and what action they propose to take?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question the Board requested the local education authority to inquire into the circumstances, and, if the allegations proved correct, to take steps to prevent a repetition of such action on the part of teachers in public elementary schools. The Board were informed by the local education authority on 7th March that the managers of the school had held an inquiry into the charges brought against Mr. White, and unanimously came to the conclusion that "not one of the charges formulated against Mr. White has been substantiated by evidence." I do not think that any further action on the part of the Board of Education is called for.