Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the President of the Board of Education (1) in how many full-time departments in technical colleges, colleges of commerce and schools of art, Scripture is a part of the time-table;
(2) in view of the good-will of the Board towards the principles of religious education in the schools, why it is that in a model time-table, produced by the Board as a guide for junior schools of commerce, Scripture is not included?
§ Mr. ButlerAs regards junior schools of commerce my hon. Friend is, I assume, referring to the Board's pamphlet "A Review of Junior Technical Schools in2138W England" which gives some sample time-tables used in such schools. These schools are frequently associated with senior institutions in which, whether technical, commercial or art institutions, it is not the practice to include Scripture as a subject of the curriculum. I understand, however, that in many of these junior schools, though not all, it is the practice to have a religious observance and in some cases religious instruction. The general question of religious instruction in schools within the public system of education is under my consideration at the present time.