HC Deb 16 January 1913 vol 46 cc2244-7
45. Mr. WATT

asked the Prime Minister whether the announcement by the Lord Chancellor at Manchester that education would be the subject of legislation in the Session of 1913, means that the federation scheme of Home Rule is not to proceed further at present and that Scotland will have to wait for the advent of another Parliament with a Liberal majority before she will be given Home Rule?

46 Mr. JAMES HOPE

asked (1) whether the Prime Minister can give an assurance that in the proposals for educational reform, adumbrated by the Lord Chancellor in a speech at Manchester on 11th January, the existing rights of managers of denominational schools will be maintained unimpaired; (2) that the status and salaries of teachers who continue to serve in denominational elementary schools will be maintained unimpaired; and (3) that the existing facilities for religious teaching within school hours in denominational elementary schools will be maintained unimpaired?

The PRIME MINISTER

I must refer to the answer which I gave yesterday on the subject of the Lord Chancellor's speech. I cannot at present make any statement as to the business of future Sessions.

Mr. WATT

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the extraordinary silence of the Members of the Government as to when and how Scotland is to get Home Rule?

Mr. HOPE

May I, then, take it the right hon. Gentleman cannot give me any one of the assurances for which I asked him?

The PRIME MINISTER

I referred to the answer I gave yesterday which I think the hon. Member cannot have read—

Mr. HOPE

I have.

The PRIME MINISTER

When I said all these points will be taken into consideration.

Viscount HELMSLEY

Having regard to the general interest felt on this question, will the right hon. Gentleman give a day for a Debate upon it this Session?

The PRIME MINISTER

No, Sir.

Sir GEORGE YOUNGER

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree in thinking that the Lord Chancellor is doing a service to the Government in placing every possible barrier in the way of the carrying out of the Government's respective declarations?

Mr. ROBERT HARCOURT

Has the Lord Chancellor ever done that?

Mr. LANE-FOX

When are we to have further information upon this subject?

The PRIME MINISTER

Next Session.

79. Mr. WEDGWOOD

asked, with reference to the new education policy laid down by the Lord Chancellor, whether the Local Government Board was, or was not, consulted as to the lowering of the initial age of compulsory education; what comments they made on the proposal, if any; and whether the idea of differentiating between children according to the character of their parents originated in his Department?

The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)

I am not sure what is the passage in the Lord Chancellor's speech to which my hon. Friend is referring; but I may say that the question of the age for school attendance is not one that specifically concerns the Local Government Board.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

May I ask whether the Local Government Board were consulted as to this scheme at all, and what reply they made?

Mr. BURNS

Oh, in a general way the Local Government Board has a benevolent suzerainty over all these matters.

82 Mr. WEDGWOOD

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the new scheme of education outlined by the Lord Chancellor contemplates making all children attend State kindergartens at the age of three, or only those whose mothers are not satisfactory?

85. Mr. R. GWYNNE

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is the intention of the Government to raise the salary of the President of the Board of Education from £2,000 to £5,000; and, if so, if he is prepared to recommend that the salaries of the Under-Secretary and the Permanent Secretary should also be increased?

88. Mr. WEDGWOOD

asked whether the new education scheme outlined by the Lord Chancellor was prepared in the Education Department after a careful study of the methods adopted in Germany?

89. Sir A. GRIFFITH - BOSCAWEN

asked whether it is proposed in the scheme of education outlined by the Lord Chancellor in his speech at Manchester on 10th January to deal with the religious question in elementary schools; and, if so, whether the new Bill will proceed on the lines of the first, second, third, or fourth Education Bills of the present Government?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. J. A. Pease)

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister yesterday with reference to the intentions of the Government in connection with the scheme of education outlined by the Lord Chancellor.

Mr. GWYNNE

Are we to understand then that the announcement which appeared in the "Daily News" was incorrect?

Mr. PEASE

I do not think there was any official announcement in the "Daily News."

Viscount HELMSLEY

How is it the right hon. Gentleman's reply answers question No. 85?

Mr. PEASE

The Prime Minister has already said this is a question for next year. It is not one that can be dealt with this Session.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

May I ask whether it is the view of the Board of Education that there should be a reduction in the age limit for compulsory education?

Mr. PEASE

There is no desire on the part of the Board of Education for any reduction.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Then they do not approve of it?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question, No. 89; and, if not, can he provide us with an authorised version of the Lord Chancellor's speech?

Mr. PEASE

I can add nothing to what the Prime Minister said yesterday.