Thursday's debate was chiefly noticeable for the close division and
cross-voting on the new clause moved by Lord Lytton empowering managers of all public elementary schools, at the request of parents, to permit religious instruction to be given without cost in school buildings at hours other than those assigned for secular teaching. After Lord Londonderry and the Duke of Devonshire had commented on the impracticability of the clause, it was negatived by 74 votes to 68. In Clause 18 an alteration was passed, on the Motion of the Duke of Devon- shire, to secure that every scheme should provide for the appointment by the Council, on the nomination, where it appeared desirable, of other bodies, including associations of voluntary schools, of educational experts and persons ac- quainted with the needs of the various kinds of schools in the area for which the Council acted. Ultimately the Bill passed through Committee, and was reported to the House by midnight.
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