§ MR. P. A. TAYLORasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether his attention has been called to a notice of Motion by the honourable Member for Harwich, which has appeared for many months upon the Notice paper, in which it is asserted that Dr. Aveling, Mrs. Besant, and the daughters of Mr. Charles Bradlaugh, are not proper persons to be employed in the work of instruction in connection with the Science and Art Department of Her Majesty's Government; and, whether he will cause inquiry to be made by the appointment of a Select Committee or otherwise as to the justice of the allegation?
§ MR. MUNDELLASir, the Notice of Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Harwich (Sir Henry Tyler) has been on the Paper since August last, and, having regard to its personal character, I think that it ought before this to have been brought to an issue. I cannot, however, consider it of sufficient importance to demand investigation by a Select Committee of this House. There is really nothing to inquire into. The classes at the Hall of Science were admitted to grants by the late Government in 1879. The committee, the teachers, and the place of meeting were the same then as now. The Inspector reports the teaching to be efficient, and the classes to be properly conducted. I cannot see how persons can be refused the benefits of the Science and Art Department on account of their religious opinions, or how any Committee can inquire into such Questions.