§ MR. MANSFIELDI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, instead of proceeding with the Education (Defaulting Authorities) Bill, he will consider the advisability of introducing a short measure giving to England and Wales the same conditions of popular control as are provided in the Scotch Education Bill.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe popular control given in Scotland to the local authorities carried with it, as one of its essential elements, the right to give out of the rates denominational education in school hours in what in England are provided schools. As I understand, the Opposition have scouted the idea of denominational religion being taught within school hours even at the cost of the denomination, and as I further understand the sole ground, if there be a ground, for passive resistance, is that it is alleged that under the existing Act denominational education is given at the cost of the rates. Therefore, if the Scotch system were introduced into England, it is manifest it would offend the Opposition as an organised body of public opinion, and it would do nothing to conciliate passive reisters.
§ DR. MACNAMARAMay I ask the Prime Minister why Scotland is always to be treated as an educationally favoured nation?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIf it be an educational favour to a nation to have denominational religion taught out of 1492 the rates, that is a privilege I shall be glad to extend to this country.
§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the educational privilege that every community shall have a popularly-governed school in its area?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt depends on what conditions. The full popular control given in Scotland is, I understand, repulsive to the right hon. Gentleman's conscientious convictions.
§ * MR. SPEAKERsaid he really thought this debate, for such it was becoming, must be continued on some other occasion.
§ MR. BRYCEsaid he merely desired to make an explanation—namely, that he disclaimed the interpretation of the right hon. Gentleman.