HC Deb 12 March 1872 vol 209 cc1849-50
MR. STAPLETON

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether he will grant a nominal Return of the Schools now under School Boards, distinguishing those which have been taken over from those which have been founded; and distinguishing those in which the Bible is read without comment from those in which it is explained; and stating, as far as possible, the nature of the explanation with reference to its dogmatic, doctrinal, or purely moral character?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, he was very anxious to give all the Returns possible with regard to the Education Act; but he feared he should have to object to the Return in question, and he hoped his hon. Friend would not press for it. He stated a week ago that there were above 191 schools under the school boards, the number was increasing every day, and would go on increasing in a much greater ratio, and it would be very little guide either to his hon. Friend or the House if he were to give any later Returns. He must also decline to give any Return as to whether any religious instruction was given in those schools, and, if so, of what kind; because he had no official means of ascertaining it, nor did he think it expedient that the Education Department should enter into a correspondence with the school boards on the subject. The information he mentioned the other night he obtained from the School Board Circular, to which he must refer the hon. Member.