EARL DE LA WAREasked, if Her Majesty's Government have any objection to state what course they intend to adopt with reference to the Endowed Schools Commission? Their Lordships were no doubt aware that the Act of last Session continuing the powers of the Endowed Schools Commission would expire in August next; but inasmuch as there were-many schools which were much concerned in the future action of the Commissioners, he thought it was very desirable that they should know whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to renew the powers of the existing Commission, and, if so, whether their proceedings would be conducted on the same principles as heretofore—that of a total disregard of the intentions of the Founders; or on the principles laid down in the Preamble of the Act of 1869—namely to promote the greater efficiency of Endowed Schools, and to carry out the main design of the Founders 1492 thereof. He believed that if the Endowed Schools Commissioners evinced a disposition to act upon the principles laid down in the Preamble of the Act of 1869, those interested in Endowed Schools would have very little reason to complain.
§ THE DUKE OF RICHMONDregretted that he could not give a very satisfactory reply to the question of the noble Earl. It was true that the powers of the Commissioners ceased in the month of August with reference to schemes which were opposed, and in December in respect to unopposed schemes. That being the case, Her Majesty's Government had thought it their duty to consider the whole question, and it being now under their consideration, it was impossible to give any definite answer to his noble Friend's Question.
§ LORD LYTTELTONsaid, the Preamble of the Act of 1869 did not describe that Act as one to carry out the designs of the Founders, but as one to put a liberal education within the reach of children of all classes.
§ EARL FORTESCUEhoped that in considering the question the Government would bear in mind the unanimous recommendation of an important Commission, that there should be local and provincial Boards under the control of the central authority, for the purpose of dealing with Endowed Schools. That recommendation had not hitherto been acted upon; and hence, in his opinion, many of the difficulties by which the Endowed Schools Commission had found itself beset.
EARL DE LA WAREreferred to the text of the Preamble of the Act of 1869, to show that his statement as to its principle was correct.
§ THE DUKE OF RICHMONDsubmitted to their Lordships that this was a very irregular proceeding. A noble Earl had put a Question of which he had given Notice, and he, on the part of the Government, had made the only reply to the Question that he could have made under the circumstances. He stated that the whole subject was being considered by the Government. Was it quite in Order after that to get up a discussion on Endowed Schools?