HC Deb 04 April 1911 vol 23 cc2155-7W
Mr. HOARE

asked the President of the Board of Education, what was the date in February when his attention was first called to the Holmes' circular?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I cannot give the precise date, but it was some time between the 1st and 9th February.

Mr. HOARE

asked by whose direction the Holmes' circular was issued to inspectors other than elementary school inspectors?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The whole distribution was made under one authorisation. The work of the various branches of the Board's inspectorate overlaps in many respects, and it is usual and desirable to keep the inspectors of the various branches in touch with one another with regard to any topic under discussion.

Mr. KING

asked whether the circular issued by Mr. Holmes to inspectors of schools was submitted to, or authorised by, the Permanent Secretary of the Board; and, if so, whether the Permanent Secretary has been informed that his action in this matter was incorrect?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

With regard to the first part of the question, I must refer my hon. Friend to the answers I have already given on this point. In reply to the second paragraph, I may say that no occasion has arisen for the course suggested, because directly the Permanent Secretary learned that the confidential nature of the Chief Inspector's Minute had been disregarded, and he was able to consider the whole matter in that new light, he at once wrote a Minute expressing his regret for the lack of judgment which he then realised that he had shown when directing it to be printed and authorising its distribution amongst certain officials of the Board. Had the Memorandum conveyed instructions or advice committing the Board on matters of policy, the secretary would, of course, have referred the question to me in the first instance.

Mr. CLAUDE LOWTHER

asked whether, in view of the report made by Mr. Holmes, he would frame some definite system for ensuring that such important appointments as inspectors of elementary schools may be given to men of adequate culture and experience; and what steps he proposes to take for that purpose?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The only inspectors of elementary schools as to the appointment of whom the Board have any jurisdiction are those of their own staff. As to the latter no special provision is necessary, inasmuch as the matter is in the hands of the Board who are careful to appoint only men of adequate culture and experience.

Sir JAMES YOXALL

asked the President of the Board of Education if he would circulate to Members of this House a print of the full text of E Memorandum, No. 21, together with the dockets or endorsements made upon the original document by officers of the Board superior in grade to Mr. E. G. A. Holmes?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

No, Sir; I have just called in all the copies of the Memorandum that are in the hands of the officers of the Board to whom they were sent, in deference to feelings excited by its publication, and I cannot undertake to give it a new and much greater publicity as suggested by my hon. Friend. I shall, however, be happy to let him see the original document with all the relevant papers, endorsements, etc.

Sir J. YOXALL

asked the President of the Board of Education if he would state the date on which E Memorandum, No. 21, was issued to His Majesty's inspectors of schools and the date at which it was written?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The actual date on which the memorandum was issued to inspectors was the 5th May, 1910, not, as I previously stated, in April. Mr. Holmes' Minute is dated the 6th January, 1910.

Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the President of the Board of Education, if the circular issued in the name of the late Chief Inspector of Schools, referring to the inspectorate under the local authorities, was issued on the instigation of Sir Robert Morant or with his knowledge and approval; and, if so, is it intended to keep Sir Robert Morant in the service of the Department?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have just given to my hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset.

Mr. HOARE

asked the President of the Board of Education when his attention was first called to the circular, issued in June, 1908, for the purpose of discovering the social and other antecedents of inspectors under local education authorities; whether the circular was issued to inpectors other than elementary school inspectors, and by whose direction and authority was it issued?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

My attention was first called to the series of questions to inspectors at the time when my attention was called to the memorandum referring to their replies. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the third part of the question, as far as can now be ascertained the series of questions was issued by the direction and on authority of the chief inspector, who had the right to make such inquiries as he thought necessary with regard to matters affecting the efficiency of public elementary schools and the conditions under which they work.