SECOND READING. (Hansard, 31 July 1893)

* THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY
My Lords, I have to move the Second Reading of this Bill to make provision for the blind and deaf. This subject is in no way new to the House. One of the Bills which have come before the House on the subject went, I remember, before Standing Committee, and great interest was taken in the matter by my late noble Friend (Earl Granville) and by my noble Friend opposite (the Earl of Cranbrook). The object of this Bill is to carry into effect a recommendation on the subject. Hitherto no Bill has passed through Parliament. At present there is no compulsion to educate blind and deaf children who cannot be given instruction in the ordinary schools; and what this Bill proposes is to remove the exemption, and to require that those children should receive suitable education. In order to carry that out the various Bodies who are charged with the maintenance of these children are authorised and required to take steps by contributing towards such schools as exist for receiving them. I need not explain all the provisions of the Bill, because the principle is what I ask the House to assent to to-night. The powers are divided between the School Authorities as to certain of the children, and the Boards of Guardians as to others. That I believe to be a fair statement of the general provisions of the Bill. There will, I think, be no difference of opinion with regard to the object, because we all agree that these unfortunate children—of whom there are a considerable number—should be given such education as they can receive. In many cases they can be so far instructed as to earn their living, and to enable them, at all events, to pass their lives in a more agreeable and useful manner. Of course, there are points in the Bill which will require attention. There is the question which always crops up in the Bills with regard to the religion taught at the various schools to which they may be sent. That has been carefully provided for in the Bill, and I hope satisfactorily. There are other points of detail in the Bill which may require 861 attention; but even should there be difference of opinion with regard to details. I do not think that would influence your Lordships in giving the Bill Reading. I may say that the Bill had never until now passed the House of Commons. It passed on this occasion after a good deal of consideration by those interested in the subject; and the present form of the Bill is the result of a great many communications between various persons. In its present form it conciliates all the different interests and the various persons which have been consulted. I shall be quite prepared to give any further explanation of the clauses that may lie desired when we go into Committee.

§ LORD MORRIS
said, with regard to Clause 7, Sub-section (b)— As to the school being either managed by a school authority or its annual expenses to the extent of not less than one-third defrayed out of sources other than local rates, or the payments made by the children's parents, and so on, that sub-section appeared to him to be following in the wake of other Bills, by which it appeared to be intended to starve out the denominational schools. The leading Ecclesiastical Authority of the Roman Catholic Church had informed him that the Roman Catholic schools would be seriously affected if the payments by the children's parents were not brought into account. As he would not have the opportunity of again being present, he wished to call the noble Earl's attention to the point, as it was an important matter affecting other denominations.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY
I was not quite able to follow the noble and learned Lord's criticism, and perhaps he will allow me to postpone giving a precise answer until we get into Committee. I do not like to say offhand that I think his objection is without any foundation. I will look into the point more closely; but I think the clause does not contain what the noble and learned Lord supposes it contains. I will give him a satisfactory answer in Committee.

§ LORD SANDFORD
asked whether the Rules referred to in Clause 8, applying to industrial schools in reference to religious instruction, would be produced?

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY
I suppose those Rules are already printed, 862 and there is not the least reason why they should not be produced; but I will inquire into that point.