§ MR. CHAPMAN () Cheshire, HydeTo ask the Postmaster General, as representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he can state what provisions are made for elementary education in the two States of South Africa recently added to His Majesty's Dominions, and whether he will state what measures are taken to protect the religious beliefs of the children; and, further, if he can state the number of schools in existence at the outbreak of the war.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain, for the Secretary of State for the Colonies.) Free primary education is given; and the syllabus of instruction adopted to start with has been that in use in Cape Colony. Attendance is not compulsory. As far as possible provision has been made in all school under Government control for imparting religious instruction in accordance with the wishes of parents. I cannot state the exact number of schools existing at the moment of the outbreak of war, but the number of scholars was very considerably less than it has been since the Colonies were annexed.