§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he would postpone the Education Estimates until next week. Friday was an inconvenient day; and in consequence of the issue of the Report of the Royal Commission they were, he thought, entitled to two nights for discussing the Estimates. It would be a good plan to take two consecutive nights; and, therefore, he asked that the Estimates might be taken next week.
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster), in reply, said, that he was always anxious to meet the views of any hon. Gentleman who took an interest in this question; but public Notice was given on Tuesday last that the Education Estimates would be taken on Friday, and it would be exceedingly unfair to hon. Members who were under the impression that this arrangement would be carried out to make any alteration. He ventured to express the hope that the debate would not extend over two nights; because the Government would not be able to enter into a discussion of the Report of the Royal Commission. Sufficient time had not elapsed to justify them in doing so, and they strongly deprecated any debate upon a question with which they were at present unable to deal.
§ MR. C. T. D. ACLAND (Cornwall, Launceston)asked the First Lord of the Treasury to reconsider his statement.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHregretted that he was obliged to adhere to the order which he had announced. If on Tuesday last, or even yesterday, an appeal had been made to him, it would have been considered. He desired to consult the general convenience of the 652 House, and it would be most unfair to alter now the arrangements made on Tuesday last.