§ MR. WALPOLE, in moving for leave to bring in a Bill to make further provision for the good government and extension of certain Public Schools in England, said, that last year a Bill on the subject was brought into the House of Lords, founded upon a Report of the Royal Commission, and had come down to the House of Commons. The pressure of business, however, was then so great that he was unable to bring it to a second reading. He wished, therefore, now to bring in a Bill of nearly the same nature, but containing some few Amendments, and he thought it better to do so at this early period in order that it might be fully discussed when the House should meet after Christmas. He should propose to take the second reading on the second day of the meeting of Parliament after the Recess.
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, he had already given notice for a Select Committee to inquire into the condition of some of the schools which would be affected by this Bill. He would suggest that before the second reading the right hon. Gentleman would consider the propriety of separating two questions which were really entirely distinct—namely, the question affecting the provincial schools, such as Eton and Harrow, and that which related to the schools of the metropolis.
§ MR. GOLDNEYhoped the scope of the Bill would be enlarged, and that it would be made to extend to other schools than those included in the measure of last year.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill to make further provision for the good government and extension of certain Public 635 Schools in England, ordered to be brought in by Mr. WALPOLE, Sir STAFFORD NORTHCOTE, and Mr. Secretary GATHORNE HARDY.
§ Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 24.]