§ SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has received an application from the London School Board asking for the loan of a couple of light guns, and about 50 muskets or rifles, with the usual appurtenances, and a few cutlasses, for the boys on board the Shaftesbury; and whether, if such request has been made, it has been complied with by the Board of Admiralty?
§ MR. CREMER (Shoreditch, Haggerston)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has received any application from the School Board for London to supply guns, rifles, and cut- 146 lasses to the boys on board the training ship Shaftesbury; and whether, before complying with such application, he will ascertain if "The Elementary Education Act, 1870," or any Educational Code, authorises the instruction of boys in the use of deadly weapons?
§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)May I ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if the boys are not purposely taught these things in order that they may enter the Royal Navy? I have an intimate acquaintance with the ship.
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHA letter was received this afternoon from the London School Board to the effect mentioned in the question, and it will be carefully considered by the Admiralty. The question of the hon. Member for Haggerston is one which I think should be addressed to another Department. The Shaftesbury is an industrial school ship under the control of the Home Office, and not an ordinary elementary school. In reply to the hon. Member for South-East Essex, I can only say that my information is of rather ancient date, as it goes back to the time when I was a member of the London School Board.