§ MR. CREMERI beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether "The Elementary Education Act, 1870," or any Educational Code which has since been issued, authorises instruction in the use of Naval or Military weapons of boys who are being educated in elementary, industrial, or any other rate-supported schools?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Mr. ACLAND, York, W.R., Rotherham)Drill in the form of phy- 678 sical exercises is commonly taught in elementary schools. Since 1875 what is called military drill has been sanctioned by the Code. Particular methods of drill are left to the discretion of Managers; but I do not find, on an inquiry, made on very short notice, that any case is known to the Department in which actual weapons are used. Popguns are used in some infant schools for playing at soldiers; and I am told that many-years ago boys were taught how to carry arms with pieces of wood shaped like gun-stocks, but these are said to have gone out of use now. As regards industrial schools, these, even when set up and maintained by School Boards, are entirely under the jurisdiction of the Home Office, and are expressly excluded from the administration of the Education Department.
§ MR. CREMERArising out of that answer, and in regard to the popguns, what is the exact nature of them? Are they of the same character as those used by children three or four years of age—simply tubes from which a piece of tow is projected from one end by means of a rammer inserted at the other? It appears to me this is an attempt to cast ridicule on the question.
§ MR. ACLANDI asked our Chief Senior Inspector for information, and have read to the hon. Member exactly what he told me. I am not aware of the exact nature of the popguns, but I do know there is among children an inborn desire to play at being warriors.
§ MR. DARLINGCannot the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the infants to be taught to play arbitrators instead of warriors?
§ [The question was not answered.]