§ MR. THOMAS OWEN (Cornwall, Launceston)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education if his attention has been called 171 to the serious complaints, made by parents before the stipendiary magistrate at Worship Street last Saturday, of children attending St. Columba's Church Schools, Kingsland Road, being obliged to go in procession to church, bow at the altar, etc., contrary to the wishes of the parents, and the allegation in one instance that the children were caned if they did not go; and, if so, if he will take steps to insure the due observance of the conscience clause in the school?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Sir J. GORST,) Cambridge UniversityThe attention of the Committee of Council was drawn to this matter about a month ago, and they have satisfied themselves by very careful inquiry that no child is obliged to attend the church, or is punished for not doing so. The managers have, however, been instructed to enter on the Time Table the day and hour of the services to which they propose to take children.