§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE, in moving the second reading of this Bill, said the 1468 condition of the parochial schoolmasters of Scotland had for some years been under the consideration of the Government, who had proposed measures in order to augment their salaries which had not been sanctioned by the House. The law as it stood gave the schoolmasters a minimum stipend of £19 a year, and a maximum stipend of about,£26. Their stipends depended upon the average price of wheat, but, in consequence of an omission to observe the necessary statutory measures in 1853, the great majority of schoolmasters received only the minimum stipend of £19. The object of this Bill was to extend the benefit of the high average struck in 1828 for two years longer, and he could only say that this was the last occasion on which he would be a party to a temporary measure of such a nature.
§ MR. CRAUFURDsaid, he was much inclined to object to the passing of this Bill at such a period of the Session when it was impossible that it could receive proper attention; but more especially did he object to passing a Bill which had emanated from those who had opposed every attempt to reform the educational system of Scotland. However, his opposition to the Bill diminished in presence of the assurance of the learned Lord Advocate, that it was the last time he would ask the House to pass a merely continuance Bill.
§ MR. STEUARTexpressed objections to the Bill, which he considered to be ill-drawn.
§ MR. STIRLINGsaid, he objected to the Bill, because it continued for no longer than a period of two years, the maximum salaries to the schoolmasters. He greatly regretted that the Government had not brought in a measure continuing their present moderate salaries to the schoolmasters, until a general measure with reference to the subject of education in Scotland had been determined upon.
§ Bill read 2°, and committed for Thursday.