§ Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that petitions were sent to him from ratepayers of Hayward's Heath, Cuckfield, Lingfield, and Wivelsfield, in Sussex, against the proposal to sanction a new non-provided public elementary school at Hayward's Heath, and that the petitions, were sent forthwith to the promoters of the proposed new school; and whether this was done with the intention that those who signed the petition should be subjected to canvassing, pressure, and influence, so that their opposition might be withdrawn?
Mr. PEASEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. The terms of petitions against the establishment of a new school are always communicated to the promoters. No rule has hitherto been laid down as to the communication of the names of the signatories to the petitions; but I may refer my hon. Friend to the written answer on this subject to another question standing in his name.