§ MR. HEALYasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether he has 545 any objection to the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the comparative number of years occupied in teaching children to read in English Board and other schools, as compared with Continental schools, and the advantages which would arise from employing a graduated phonetic system in teaching reading; and, if he will state the number of School Boards which have petitioned in favour of a phonetic course for teaching children to read?
§ MR. MUNDELLASir, three or four years ago several School Boards petitioned in favour of a phonetic course of teaching children to read, and the London School Board was allowed to try the experiment in two of its schools. It was not found to be successful, and was consequently discontinued. I am told it was tried under very favourable conditions by a competent and enthusiastic teacher. Under the circumstances, I could not ask the House to appoint a Committee to investigate the subject.