§ MR. WHITESIDEsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether any rule has been framed by the National Hoard of Education in Ireland which permits the use of prayer at the opening of a school and during school hours, or the posting of the Ten Commandments in the School?
§ SIR ROBERT PEELsaid, in reply, that he was sorry to find that the right hon. and learned Gentleman was not well acquainted with the rules of the National Board. If he referred to Rules 12, 14, and 16, he would find that they permitted the use of prayer at the opening of the school and during school hours, after the ordinary school business was closed. The managers of the schools were not required to exclude children during the time of prayer, but all the children had full power, by the intimation of the wish of their parents and guardians, to withdraw from it.
§ MR. WHITESIDEsaid, he wanted to know whether, if ten o'clock was the hour for the school to commence, there would be prayer after that hour?
§ SIR EGBERT PEELsaid, he had already stated that the school could be opened and closed with, prayer, and the Ten Commandments might be posted in the schoolroom.