HC Deb 24 June 1861 vol 163 cc1544-5

Order for Second Reading read.

THE LORD ADVOCATE

said, one object of the Bill was to abolish the exclusive test that the schoolmaster should belong to the Established Church in Scotland. On the other hand it provided that they should teach the Holy Scriptures and the Shorter Catechism as Bet forth by the Westminster confession of faith. He did not say he liked this test, if test it was to be called. The Bill proposed to raise the salaries of the schoolmasters. At this moment the minimum of these salaries was £22 a year, and the maximum £28 or £29. He need not say that that remuneration was disgracefully inadequate. The Bill proposed to raise the salaries, the maximum being £60 a year—which he was far from saying was sufficient. But if they could join in doing away with the exclusive test he saw no reason why in a future Session they should not depart from the system of educational grants, and revert to the good old Scotch system of having a truly national education in Scotland.

MAJOR CUMMING BRUCE

regretted the Bill had been introduced into the House at so late a period in the Session, as it deprived the House of an opportunity of discussing it. It would, moreover, have been but fair if the Bill had been brought forward at a time when the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland would have had the opportunity of considering it. The Bill was introduced in 1854: then it was rejected by a majority of one. In 1857 it was carried by a majority of above thirty, but the Bill had been always rejected in the other House, and a similar fate would probably attend this. He trusted that the superintendence of the Presbytery would be continued over the parish schools. He desired to see the schools maintained on their present footing.

MR. BLACK

said, that he was opposed to many of the clauses of the Bill. The only good thing about it was the proposal to increase the salaries; but, then, at present the heritors were obliged to provide the funds; but now the proprietors and the tenants were joined with the heritors; but while they were joined with the heritors in providing the funds the heritors were to decide upon their application, and also upon the allowance to the schoolmaster. But what he was chiefly opposed to was the test. At present all that was necessary was a confession of faith; and the teacher was not bound to teach any particular theological doctrines, but this Bill proposed to lay down that he should teach doctrines in accordance with the Short Catechism.

MR. MURE

would vote for the second reading of the Bill, and thought that the declaration would be most usefully settled in Committee.

Bill read 2°, and committed for Tuesday, 2nd July, at Twelve of the clock.

House adjourned at Two o'clock.