§ MR. BYLES (Salford, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War is he aware that compulsory military drill exists in many public and preparatory schools; is public money to be paid, under the Bill now passing through the House, for this compulsory military training, or will he exempt from those provisions of the Bill which propose to establish and assist rifle clubs, such clubs, corps, and battalions as have in them the element of compulsion.
§ MR. HALDANEThe Question put by my hon. friend is similar in purport to one put by him on the 9th instant, The reply which I gave on that date would apparently need no amplification The substance of that reply was that the Government has not the least intention of introducing compulsion anywhere or of granting money with that end in view With the internal discipline of private schools, whether as regards drill or foot ball, or any other kind of exercise, the Government, of course, cannot inter meddle.
† See (4) Debates, clxxi., 79.
§ MR. HALDANEWe are not paying any money.