HC Deb 06 March 1893 vol 9 cc1104-5
MR. SPICER (Monmouth, &c.)

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether it is in accordance with the terms of the Education Act that Nonconformist children, attending the St. Mary's National School of Monmouth, should be taken to church during school hours in Lent, when the parents have requested they should not be taken?

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Mr. A. ACLAND,) York, W.R., Rotherham

The Department have received no information from the locality with regard to the facts alleged. But if the children are taken to or kept at church during any part of the time set apart in the time-table for secular instruction this is a contravention of the Education Acts, and entirely inadmissible.

MR. SPICER

Will the right hon. Gentleman give notice that the system must be stopped?

MR. ACLAND

If I discover that the Act has been contravened I will give notice to have it stopped.