§ Viscount Palmerstonsaid, he would take this opportunity of asking a question relative to the intentions of Government on the subject of education. Some time ago the President of the Council presented a petition in the other House of Parliament from the classes at Exeter-hall, and the noble Lord accompanied the presentation of the petition, with a speech, which, for the liberality of sentiment, and enlightened views embodied in it, reflected great honour upon himself, and the Government of which he was a Member. In the course of his speech the noble Lord stated, that the House of Commons would not do its duty if it did not increase the annual grant for the purposes of education. Of course, the general impression created by the noble Lord's speech was, that it was the intention of the Government, of which the noble Lord was a prominent Member, to increase the grant for education by proposing an additional estimate for that purpose. As the committee of supply was DOW drawing to a close, he hoped the 496 right hon. Baronet would permit him to ask, whether it were the intention of the Government to propose any additional grant for the purpose in question? He, at the same time, begged to assure the right hon. Baronet, speaking for himself, that it would give him the greatest possible satisfaction to support any such proposal, if it should be made by the Government.
§ Sir R. Peelsaid, that he was to have met his noble Friend, the President of the Council, that day, to communicate with him on the subject, but had unavoidably been prevented. He feared he could not give any assurance that an additional grant would be proposed this Session