Schools of Arts and Crafts.

HC Deb 20 May 1914 vol 62 cc1959-60W

Mr. GRANT

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware of the diminution of Grants that has taken place in regard to many of the smaller schools of arts and crafts; and if he will state the reason for such action?

Mr. PEASE

It is impossible to give a general answer, as each school is separately assessed for Grant. Speaking generally, however, there has been a shrinkage in the volume of work since the last triennial reassessment of Grants, due partly to a diminution in the number of students and partly to a diminution in the average number of hours of work done by each. This shrinkage has been apparent in nearly all the schools of art, and, with exceptions, has not been compensated for in the cease of the smaller schools by any marked improvement in the standard of work.

Mr. GRANT

asked on what principle are Grants to schools of arts and crafts allocated?

Mr. PEASE

The Grants are inclusive or "block" Grants, and are assessed by the Board after consideration of the volume, character, and merit of the work done in each school, and of the efficiency with which the work is organised and coordinated with that of other schools and classes in the locality. Reassessment may take place in any year should changes in the work render it desirable, but it has been the practice during recent years to make a triennial reassessment after a

survey of the development of the work during the last triennial period.

Mr. GRANT

also asked what was the amount given by way of Grant in 1909, and what is the amount now, to schools of arts and crafts paid as a block Grant, and also of any other schools of arts and crafts which may not be under the block system, for scholarships, exhibitions, and to students in those schools of arts and crafts, and for cost of art examinations, apart from the national competition, respectively?

Mr. PEASE

The Grants to schools of art were as follows:—

		1908–09.		1912–13.
		£		£
Block Grants	…	57,619	…	63,975
Other Grants	…	3,955	…	4,053
		£61,574		£68,028

The total cost of scholarships and similar forms of aid to students, including those who proceeded from local schools of art to the Royal College of Art, was £7,553 in 1908–09 and £7,377 in 1912–13. I am unable to give the cost of the art examinations in 1909 in terms comparable with those for 1913, but the gross cost for 1910 was about £8,500, and for 1913 about £3,900.