§ 60. Mr. ELLIS DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that twenty-six children from 1292 the village of Thorpe, Surrey, have been withdrawn from the Thorpe Church of England school on account of the parents' objection to the religious teaching given at the school, and that in consequence the children, where conveyances are not provided at private expense, are compelled to walk several miles to attend school; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the matter?
Mr. PEASEI am aware of the withdrawal of children referred to by the hon. Member, but I have no information as to the exact distances the children have to travel from their homes to the Egham Saint Anne's Heath council school, which I understand they are attending. Any children whose parents object to the religious instruction given in the school can be withdrawn from that instruction under the Conscience Clause, and unless that Clause is violated I have no power to intervene.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the children are withdrawn they are put in a cloak room or sent to the playground until the instructions are over, and does he expect that sort of thing to be tolerated by their parents?