HC Deb 11 May 1891 vol 353 cc490-1
MR. SUMMERS

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Council, in the absence of the First Lord of the Treasury, whether he is aware that in certain National Schools a catechism is taught containing the following questions and answers:— Q. Is it very dangerous to leave the Church? A. Yes; and it is also a very grievous sin. Q. Is it wrong to join in the worship of Dissenters? A. Yes; we should only attend places of worship in connection with the Church of England; and whether the Government will consider the advisability of excluding from the benefits of the Free Education Bill schools where such catechisms are taught?

MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that in certain Board schools doctrines which are not generally acceptable to those who venerate the Hebrew Scriptures, such as the doctrine of the Trinity and the observation of the Sunday, are inculcated, and whether the Government will consider the advisability of excluding from the benefits of the Free Education Bill all schools where religion is taught beyond the writing of the name of God with a capital "G"?

SIR W. HART DYKE

I must ask for notice of the question of the hon. Member for East Donegal (Mr. A. O'Connor). In reply to the question on the Paper, in the absence of my right hon. Friend, I may be permitted to say that I am not aware of the use in public elementary schools of such a catechism as that described; but unless the violation of the Conscience Clause was thereby involved, it is not clear upon what principle the Government would be justified in excluding a school from the benefits of free education any more than from that of the ordinary Parliamentary grant.

MR. SUMMERS

I beg to inform the right hon. Gentleman that the catechism to which I refer is issued by the Church Extension Association, and I wish to know whether the teaching of such a catechism would be regarded as involving a violation of the Conscience Clause?

SIR W. HART DYKE

As the question involves a legal matter, I must ask the hon. Member to put it on the Paper.