§ MR. LANE-FOX (Yorkshire, W.R., Barkston Ash)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether his personal attention has been called to the case of Kirkchester, in the West Riding of Yorkshire; and whether the Board of Education is prepared to accept the proposal of the governors of the endowed school there to provide a new central school without imposing any burden upon the rates, and under such conditions that the wishes of the parents, whether members of the Church of England or Nonconformists, with regard to the religious instruction of their children would receive satisfaction.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OP EDUCATION (Mr. MCKENNA, monmouthshire, N.)I beg to be excused from distinguishing between cases which have and which have not been brought to my personal notice. I take full responsibility for all. A proposal of the governors is before the Board, but the questions involved are extremely complicated, and I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject. I must not, however, be taken as admitting that the conditions proposed would meet the wishes of the parents, whether they are members of the Church of England or Noncontormists, with regard to the religious instruction of the children.
§ MR. LANE-FOXasked if the right hon. Gentleman would order further inquiry or agree to receive a deputation from the local education authority, as the time had nearly run out?
§ MR. MCKENNAsaid he did not think an inquiry was desirable, but he would look further into the matter and answer the hon. Member later on.