§ MR. BROADHURSTasked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether the National Schools at Roth-well, Northamptonshire, are decorated with various political mottoes of a party character, including a portrait of Lord Beaconsfield surmounted with the words "Peace with Honour," "Success to the Rothwell Conservative Association," &c.; and, whether such exhibitions are permissible in public elementary schools supported by State grants?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI received, a short time since, a complaint from ratepayers of Rothwell, embodying statements similar to those in the hon. Member's Question. I have communicated with the manager of the National Schools, and the Vicar has written to me the following letter:—
The use of the room was granted to the committee of the Rothwell Conservative Association for the purpose of holding their annual dinner. Among the decorations and mottoes 433 placed upon the walls by the committee were those you have enclosed in Mr. Broadhurst's question, and also the portrait of the late Earl of Beaconsfield, which was lent for the occasion by a member of the association. All the mottoes bearing any allusion to politics were removed before 9 o'clock on the following morning. The only ones remaining in the room are the following, bearing on agriculture, as lessons are being given in the winter months—'Success to Agriculture,' 'Unity is Strength,' 'God Speed the Plough.'On receipt of this letter I felt it my duty to ask the complainants on what evidence they had made these allegations, and I have received the following reply—
§ "Rothwell, Kettering, May 14, 1884,
§ "Sir,—In reply to your letter of yesterday, May 13, asking on what authority the statement 'that the walls of the church schools here are decorated with the portrait of Lord Beacons-field and his famous motto "Peace with Honour" was made, I beg to say that they have been seen on several occasions during the past 12 months by Mr. Barlow, secretary of the Rothwell Gas Company, who signed the letter; and by Mr. C. Palmer, collector of taxes, to either of whom reference may be made, as well as to many other persons, both old and young, if necessary. I have just been informed, on reliable authority, that the portrait and the motto were removed from the school walls between 12 and 2 o'clock this day, May 14th.
§ "I remain, Sir, yours respectfully,
§ "D. B. CHAMBERLAIN."
§ Under these circumstances, there being a conflict of testimony, I consider it necessary that further inquiries should be made. The use of public elementary schools, out of school hours, for political purposes is very common. I believe it is a practice common to all Parties. But it would, undoubtedly, be undesirable that during school hours there should be any display of Party mottoes.