09 April 1906

Augustine Birrell introduces the ill-fated Education Bill to the House of Commons

Designed to remove the religious difficulties created by the 1902 Education Act, the bill proposed that all schools maintained from rates and taxes should be managed by local councils and teachers would not be compelled to give religious instruction. The bill soon encountered vehement opposition from the Anglican and Catholic Churches and although it passed the Commons it was heavily amended in the Lords. An abortive attempt was made to reach a compromise between the two houses but when this failed the government reluctantly dropped the bill.