§ MR. COGANsaid, he rose to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If it is the fact as reported in the newspapers that the Solicitor General for Ireland, at a meeting of the Church Education Society held in Dublin on the 10th of April, proposed a resolution which he stated—
Expressed the positive principles of the Church Education Society as a Scriptural institution, and also its position as an antagonist of the National System;" and, whether the Government participate in this condemnation of the National system of Education as compared with that of the Church Education Society, and intend to propose any alterations in it with a view to substitute in its stead a system of education founded on the principles of the Church Education Society?
LORD NAASsaid, in reply, that the precise terms of the resolution moved by the Solicitor General for Ireland on the occasion referred to were—
That this Society is convinced that the Scriptural instruction of every child having access to their schools is the true principle on which they should stand, and affords good hope, with the Divine blessing, of the advancement of religion, peace, and happiness in the country.But his hon. and learned Friend pronounced no condemnation whatever of the National system, and merely, in expressing his general concurrence with the views of the Church Education Society, stated his opinion that the principle of the two systems was similar. In answer to the concluding part of the Question of the right hon. Member, he had to state that the Government did not intend to propose any alteration in the National system "with a view to substitute in its stead a system of education founded on the principles of the Church Education Society."