BRITISH POLITICS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1908, Page 7

BRITISH POLITICS.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CRITICISED. AN AMENDMENT. DEFEATED BY 272 TO 79. By Telegiaph.-— Press Association.— Copyright. LONDON, 6th February. In the House of Commons yesterday Lord Robert Cecil (Conservative) moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply^ criticising the administration of the Education Department. The amendment was defeated by 272 votes to 79. NONCONFORMISTS AND THE EDU- - CATION' QUESTION. TROUBLE THREATENED. (Received February 7, B.iO a.m.) LONDON, 6th February. A minority committoo of Nonconformist members of the House of Commons accepted the project of the Minister of Education (the Right Hon. R. M'Kenna) to * allow "contracting out" under the coming Bill. ! The majority of Nonconformist memj bers of the Commons threaten trouble. It has been rumoured that the new Education Bill promised by the Government will provide for schools being carried on and buildings maintained at the public expense (special religious teaching to be given out of school hours, and Cowper-Templeism to be the only religion taught in pchool hpurs), oi), in the alternative, that managers bo allowed to "'contract out." "Under tho "contracting out system," local authorities may make any arrangement they think j fit with the owner of any existing voluntary school for having such use of it as is required for carrying it on as a public elementary school. Last month, Sir. Asquith, speaking at Norwich, said the generous and indulfent facilities which had been granted y the Government in regard to denominational instruction would aot be repealed.