§ Sir JAMES YOXALLasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the premises of the Dagenham, Hainault Forest, Church of England school, Essex, are still allowed to be open notwithstanding the fact that the temperatures on 13th January, 1913, were as low as 38 to 45 degrees in the main room, 38 to 51 in the class room, and 39 to 51 in the infants' room; whether he is-aware that the master has resigned, giving as reasons for his resignation that the school premises are unsuitable in their present condition for the instruction of children, dilapidated, dangerous to health and also to life and limb, cracks in the school walls admit cold air from outside, the temperature of the school cannot be maintained, the managers as a body do not support the head teacher in the performance of his scholastic duties, and neglect to provide a proper teaching staff, after repeated and urgent requests to do-so; and whether the Board of Education will give directions to the local education authority to provide other accommodation for the school children?
Mr. PEASEFrom the reports received from His Majesty's inspector there is no-doubt that the main room is liable to be very cold. Plans for beating it by hot water pipes and radiators have now been submitted and appear to be satisfactory-The Board, however, will not give their approval without stipulating that the walls shall be made good and that the work shall be completed by 25th March. The Board have been notified of the resignation of the headmaster, but not of his reasons for resigning. The local education authority have informed the Board that they have held an exhaustive inquiry into the staff and the management of the school and hope shortly to be able to state that an adequate, suitable, and permanent staff has been provided.