HC Deb 09 April 1889 vol 335 cc11-2
MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether the Rev. F. H. Watson, on the 22nd of March last, examined the children in the Board School at Snitterfield in the Apostles' Creed; and, if not, what was the creed in which he examined them; and whether the teaching of and examination in the Apostles' Creed in a Board School is a violation of the provisions of "The Elementary Education Act, 1870?"

*THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Sir WILLIAM HART DYKE,) Kent, Dartford

The Creed in question was the Apostles' Creed, which, during the discussion of the Cowper-Temple Clause, was mentioned by the author of the clause as one which could be taught in Board Schools, on the ground that it was "not the property of any particular denomination, but belonged to all Christendom," and this view of the case has since obtained the sanction of and been acted upon by successive heads of the Department.

MR. COBB

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the universal impression among the Nonconformists of this country is that the Apostles' Creed is not to be taught in the Board Schools, and that if it is taught it is in violation of the provisions of the Education Act of 1870?

*SIR W. HART DYKE

I am not aware of any such impression whatever existing. I hold in my hand a Minute written by the right hon. Member for the Brightside Division of Sheffield (Mr. Mundella) when he was Vice President of the Council, in which he uses the very words of Lord Mount-Temple, and concludes by saying— Their Lordships are not prepared to interfere with the discretion of School Boards in the matter.

MR. COBB

Did I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say yesterday that this examination was not entered into by the direction of the Board?

*SIR W. HART DYKE

No. I stated what was the policy of the Education Department, as observed by the right hon. Gentleman when he was Vice President of the Council.

MR. DILLWYN (Swansea)

I should like to know by what authority and at whose selection the Apostles' Creed is chosen. Can any other Creed except the Apostles' Creed be selected?

The question was not answered.

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