§ MR. H. GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether, in view of the difficulty that still exists in some places of obtaining the use of schoolrooms for public meetings, he will cause a copy of the unanimous Resolution of the House in favour of the right of public meeting in elementary schools to be circulated amongst school managers?
§ *THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Sir W. HART DYKE,) Kent, DartfordThe object of the Resolution was not, as I understood it, to confer a general right of public meeting in any school-house, unfettered by any securities against misuse and irrespective of there being any other suitable buildings available, and I cannot, therefore, assent to the issue of the suggested Circular; but, judging from the number of letters I have received from persons who are alarmed at the possible effects of the Resolution, I do not think it stands in need of any further advertisement.
§ MR. H. GARDNERNotwithstanding the Resolution of the House and the fact that the Government are about to bring in a Bill on the subject, does the right hon. Gentleman know there have been a number of cases of refusal for the use of schoolrooms in various parts of the Kingdom?
§ *SIR W. HART DYKEIf that is the fact, it only shows that there is a necessity for the introduction of a Bill on the subject.