Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the effect of the competitive musical festivals carried on by private enterprise in many parts of the country upon the standard of musical training in schools; whether some local education authorities have expressed their willingness to make small grants towards the expenses of such festivals, but have been advised that they have no power to do so; and whether the Board will do anything to facilitate the making of such grants, where the local authorities wish to make them, in view of the fact that such festivals can only be maintained by raising subscriptions in the localities?
Mr. PEASEThe Board are aware of the relations existing in some parts of the country between public elementary schools and musical competitions, and have under consideration some of the effects of those relations. No case of the kind referred to in the question has come to the Board's knowledge. If the hon. Member is aware of any such case and will give me the facts I shall be glad to look into it.