§ Mr. COLMAN (Norwich)asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether the teaching of the Church of England Catechism was, or has hitherto been, included in the curriculum of the elementary school at Holme-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, the same being a Board school; whether a lately-appointed mistress of the school, on learning the fact, informed the School Board that she could not conscientiously give religious instruction except from the Bible, and 1366 that, if she were required to teach the Catechism, she would be obliged to give notice of resignation; whether the Board thereupon accepted her resignation; and, whether the Education Department will take steps to prevent the violation of the law by the further use of the Church Catechism?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (Sir W. HART DYKE,) Kent, DartfordI am informed that the teaching of the Church Catechism was for some time included in the religious instruction given at the School named, but without the knowledge of the School Board, who state that they left the matter in the bands of the teachers with the understanding that nothing should be taught in contravention of the Act. The Board's reason for accepting the late teacher's resignation was that she objected to the examination of the school by the diocesan inspector, and this practice, the Board—upon which there are two Nonconformists—were not disposed to abandon. The teaching of the Catechism has now been discontinued, and I do not think it will be necessary to take any further steps.