§ MR. BRYCEasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether he will state what is the present position of the scheme for the future management of Christ's Hospital which the Endowed Schools Commissioners have been occupied in framing; and, when it is likely to be laid before Parliament?
§ MR. MUNDELLASir, I have caused inquiry to be made of the Charity Commissioners as to the position and prospects of the Christ's Hospital scheme, and I have received the following answer:—
The draft scheme prepared by the Charity Commissioners for Christ's Hospital was published last August, and the Governors and others were allowed until the 31st of December to state their objections and suggestions. The objections and suggestions received are very numerous and weighty, and in respect to some of the points raised further investigations are requisite and are in progress. It is impossible at present to say when the Commissioners will be in a position to submit the scheme to the Education Department.
§ MR. CAINEasked whether the Vice President of the Council was aware that the Governing Body of Christ's Hospital insisted upon the production of a certificate of baptism before admission to the benefits of the foundation, thereby excluding members of the Society of 837 Friends, Baptists, and others; and whether, in framing a new scheme, he would suppress such an aggressive and unjust prohibition? Such a case had happened that day with regard to the child of a Baptist.
§ MR. MUNDELLA, in reply, said, he was not aware that such a provision existed; but when the scheme came into the hands of the Education Department he should be ready to omit any inequality of that description.