HC Deb 14 October 1912 vol 42 cc797-800W
Mr. CLOUGH

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has

consented to the erection of a new a Roman Catholic elementary school at Barnolds—wick for the accommodation of 120 children; and whether, after its erection, this new denominational school will be entirely maintained out of the taxes and of the rates?

Mr. J. A. PEASE

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The school, apart from the structure, will be entirely maintained out of public funds.

Mr. CLOUGH

asked whether, in view of the fact that in Barnoldswick there are 1,729 school places, an average attendance of 1,403, and 1,717 names on the registers, of whom the Roman Catholics claim ninety-five, the right hon. Gentleman will give his consent to the erection of a new school to any religious denomination that can claim to have 5½ per cent, of the total names on the registers?

Mr. PEASE

The figures of the recognised accommodation, average attendance, and numbers on registers at the three existing schools at Barnoldswick for the year ended 30th June, 1912, are 1,549, 1,395, and 1,717, respectively. All proposals to provide new schools are considered on their merits, and I can commit myself to no such principle as is suggested in the question.

Mr. CLOUGH

asked the right hon. Gentleman to what extent he estimates that this new Roman Catholic elementary school at Barnoldswick will contribute to the economy of the rates and to the efficiency of secular education?

Mr. PEASE

The rates will be relieved of the capital expenditure which would be necessary to provide the school accommodation which will be provided by the new school. On the second point, I have every reason to believe that the school will be efficient, and I have no reason to think the efficiency of the other schools in the area will be impaired.

Mr. CLOUGH

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the Reverend S. H. Marshall, Roman Catholic priest of Hebden Bridge, has furnished lists of the names of all the children of Roman Catholic parents in Barnoldswick to the head teachers of the public elementary schools in that area and demanded their withdrawal during the time set apart for religious instruction; whether he will state which Regulation of the Board enables an outside cleric to take such action; and whether he can state how many names those lists contained, how many parents were personally consulted by the Reverend S. H. Marshall, how many of those children are now withdrawn, and how many Roman Catholic children had been withdrawn previous to 18th July, 1912?

Mr. PEASE

At the inquiry held on 18th July it was stated by the Rev. H. Marshall that, with the consent of all the Roman Catholic parents of Barnoldswick, he had given a list of the names of all their children to the head teachers of their various schools and arranged that they should be withdrawn from religious instruction. No exception was taken to this statement. I am informed that, at the time of furnishing the lists referred to, the Rev. H. Marshall was the priest-in-charge of the Barnoldswick Roman Catholic Mission. The Board have made no regulations as to the manner in which parents should exercise their right of withdrawing their children from religious instruction (under Section 7 of the Elementary Education Act, 1870). I have no information as regards the last part of the question. I have received no complaints suggesting that the withdrawal of the children was not in accordance with the wishes of the parents, nor am I at present aware of any grounds which would justify me in making inquiry. Perhaps I may remind the hon. Member that under Section 7 of the Act of 1870 it is provided that it shall be no part of the duties of His Majesty's Inspector to make any inquiry into religious instruction.

Mr. CLOUGH

asked whether, previous to 18th July, 1912, the West Riding local education authority offered to provide additional public elementary school accommodation at Barnoldswick for 300 children; and whether the right hon. Gentleman has given or withheld his consent?

Mr. PEASE

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have given my consent to the proposal.