§ MR. CHAMBERLAINasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether it is true that on Monday the 17th February the diocesan inspector, accompanied by the clergyman of the parish, entered the Board School at Holbeach and held a religious examination there between two and three o'clock in the afternoon, although the time table of the school provides for secular instruction at the time named; and, if so, whether, having regard to sections 7 and 16 of "The Elementary Education Act, 1870," he will take any steps in reference to 9 such infraction of the Act, and especially to prevent the repetition of similar occurrences?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONThe school board referred to is, I fancy, Long Sutton, not Holbeach. It appears that the diocesan Inspector wrote to the chairman of the board asking permission to examine the schools under the board in religious knowledge, and the board at once assented and the examination after due notice was held, but during school hours. We have been in correspondence with the school board, and have pointed out to them that any such examination ought to be held within the time set apart for religious instruction by the time table of each school, or during an extra meeting of the school.