MR. PRICEasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether he considers that sub-section 1 of Clause 7 of the Elementary Education Act will meet the case of canal children; and, how he proposes to define the two-mile limit with reference to the residence of children whose parents reside during the whole of the year in boats on canals and navigable rivers?
§ VISCOUNT SANDONThe subject referred to by the Question is both an important and a difficult one. I am informed that in Germany and other countries the making provision for the 860 instruction of the children of the population living on canals and navigable rivers has been found a subject full of difficulty, and I fear Clause 7 of the Education Bill may not meet completely the case of our canal population. At this moment I cannot say whether we shall be able to treat their case fully in the Education Bill, or whether we shall think it better to defer this matter till my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary deals with the general recommendations of the Factory Commissioners, who reported upon the condition of the canal population. I can assure the hon. Gentleman, however, that the matter, of the importance of which we are well aware, shall not be overlooked.