HC Deb 28 May 1906 vol 158 cc74-5
MR. LANE-FOX (Yorkshire, W.E., Barkston Ash)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education when he proposes to enforce the decision of the Board that the deductions made by the Education Committee of the West Riding of Yorkshire from teacher's salaries in respect of the time devoted to definite religious teaching in the non-provided schools are illegal; and whether he will take steps to secure, under the Defaulting Authorities (Education) Act if necessary, that the sums deducted are refunded to such teachers at an early date.

MR. BIRRELL

I understand the Attorney-General will move for a rule nisi to-morrow morning.

MR. CLOUGH (Skipton)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is the fact that no legal decision has yet been given that a local education authority is liable to pay for definite religious teaching in non-provided schools; and is he aware that of all the non-provided school managers in the West Riding who insist upon teachers imparting denominational instruction the only board of managers which pays them for this service is the one of which the Marquess of Ripon is a member?

MR. BIRRELL

The whole object of the mandamus is to test the legality of the action of the West Riding. The Attorney-General will, I understand, move for a rule nisi tomorrow, Tuesday, morning.

MR. LANE-FOX

inquired whether, in view of what had happened in the West Riding, the right hon. Gentleman could insert in the Education Bill an Amendment giving some appeal from the decision of local bodies, especially in connection with Clause 4.

MR. BIRRELL

said he would wait and see what was the result of the application to the Court.