§ Mr. LEACHasked the President of the Board of Education if he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation for the abolition of all denominational religious tests for head scholarships in elementary schools in the receipt of rates and taxes, thus opening these State appointments to men and women duly qualified who do not adhere to the Church of England, as well as to those who do?
§ Mr. J. A. PEASEThe views of the Government in regard to the continued imposition of religious tests on teachers are well known, and the hon. Member may rest assured that the question will not be lost sight of, but I cannot anticipate any legislative proposals which may be laid before Parliament.
§ Mr. LEACHasked the President of the Board of Education if it is the intention of the Government in the coming Education Bill to abolish all fees in all elementary schools receiving Government Grants?
1584W
§ Mr. PEASEI must ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of legislation on this matter, and I am afraid I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for North Somerset on 2nd July, a copy of which I am sending him.
§ Mr. LEACHasked the President of the Board of Education how many elementary schools in receipt of Government Grants still charge fees; how many non-provided schools still charge fees; how many provided schools also charge fees; and what is the total amount of fees so charged in each class of school, respectively?
§ Mr. PEASEThe latest available figures are for the statistical year ended 31st July, 1913. In that year the number of public elementary schools in England and Wales. in which fees were charged was 429. Of these 308 were non-provided schools and 121 were provided schools. The amounts received as fees in the non-provided schools were £35,772 19s., and in the provided schools £30,712 7s. 1d.