§ Mr. HAYES FISHERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his atten- 176W tion has been directed to the Regulations recently issued by the Board of Education relating to the distribution of Grants in the year 1912–13 to local education authorities in respect of medical treatment of children attending public elementary schools, and to the principles on which the said new Grants are to be allocated as therein laid down; and whether he will take steps to provide that the distribution of sums of money granted by this House in relief of services of a national character administered by local authorities should not be left to the unfettered discretion of a Government Department?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe Regulations referred to were approved by the Treasury. The Regulations left the distribution of Grants to the discretion of the Board of Education, because it was impossible to forecast the number of participants and consequently to settle a basis on which the Grants could fairly be allocated, but I hope that next year some basis may be arrived at in the light of the experience then available.