§ MR. CHARLEYsaid, he wished to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, If he has any objection to state the grounds on which it is proposed to abolish the jurisdiction of the Ordinary over Church of England Endowed Schools?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERSir, I beg to state that I propose to introduce into the Endowed Schools Bill a clause for repealing the law under which the Bishop of a diocese or an Ordinary has jurisdiction over schools and schoolmasters. The reason for so doing is that such jurisdiction is in reality obsolete, and it was thought there was no advantage in retaining as law an enactment which might be used for obstructive purposes. I shall be prepared to enter fully into the reasons for the proposed change when we come to the next stage of the Bill. If I do not explain those reasons now it is not owing to any want of deference to the hon. Gentleman opposite; but because, in regard to replies to Questions of this kind, it is not the custom of the House to expect or to encourage argumentative speeches.