HC Deb 08 March 1889 vol 333 cc1262-3
SIR HENRY ROSCOE (Manchester, S.)

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether, before the issue of the Minute of the Committee of Council on Education in January, extending to Scotland the provision that no grant for drawing should be made on account of girls to whom cookery is not also taught, due account was taken of the circumstances of Scotch mixed schools and the opinions of Scotch, educational authorities; whether he is aware that the effect of this restriction in England has been largely to crush out the teaching of drawing to both boys and girls in mixed schools; whether it is anticipated that this will be the case in Scotland under the new Minute; and, whether, since this is in direct conflict with the advice of the Report of the Royal Commission on Technical Instruction, and of both the majority and minority of the Royal Commission on Elementary Education, in all of which the extension of drawing teaching is strongly recommended, he can see his way to remove the restriction?

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (Sir W. HART DYKE,) Kent, Dartford

The form in which the Minute was issued was due to an understanding with the Treasury that Scotland should be placed on an equality with England, but there is no reason, so far as I know, why the change should have the effect my hon. Friend seems to anticipate, seeing that in mixed schools boys alone may be taught drawing, as, I believe, is largely done in England. Further changes in the English Code are in prospect which will, I hope, facilitate and promote the teaching of drawing to both boys and girls.

MR. BUCHANAN (Edinburgh, W.)

Was the Scotch Education Department consulted before the Minute was issued?

SIR W. HART DYKE

I apprehend that was the case; but I have no right to answer positively in the absence of my right hon. Friend the Lord Advocate.

MR. T. E. ELLIS (Merionethshire)

When is it proposed to lay the new Code on the Table?

SIR W. HART DYKE

The new Code will be placed on the Table well within the limit of time—probably within the next fortnight.