The House of Commons during the past week has been
chiefly occupied with the Education Bill. In the course of the debates on Tuesday and Wednesday two very important alterations in the original scheme were carried. On Tuesday Mr. Balfour, somewhat to the surprise of the House, but, as we think, quite rightly, accepted an amendment moved by Sir William Anson which in effect makes the Cowper-Temple Clause apply in the new secondary schools, and forbids the use in such schools of any catechism or formulary character- istic of any religious denomination. Mr. Balfour agreed on
ilieground that though the Cowper-Temple Clause could not be defended on logical principles, it worked well in practice. Sir William Anson's amendment was not, however, carried without a strong protest from Lord Hugh Cecil and his friends, who insisted on a division, which resulted in the amendment being carried by a majority of 289 (318 to 29).
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