I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that for the purpose of preventing the formation of a School Board, the Malling Board of Guardians have voted the sum of £50 to the Enlargement Fund of the West Mailing National Schools, and also —5 a year in respect to the pauper children attending the school, the school being in receipt of a free grant; arid, whether the Local Government Board has given its sanction to such payments?

The Local Government Board have not sanctioned the payments of the sums referred to. They have informed the Guardians that they are not aware of any authority under which the proposed contributions can legally be made.