§ 45. Sir HENRY CRAIKasked the Prime Minister whether the proposals with regard to national education referred to in His Majesty's Gracious Speech, and in the 700 speech of the Lord Chancellor in Manchester in January last, are the result of inquiries by means of which definite conclusions have been reached, or whether the inquiries are still being carried on?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)Definite conclusions have been reached, but further information is being sought with regard to certain points.
§ 48. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked if the announcement in the King's Speech in reference to a national scheme of education means the introduction and passage through all its stages in this House during the present Session of a Government Education Bill, or whether it only means the presentment in outline this Session of a scheme of education to be embodied in legislation hereafter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERA Bill will be introduced, but I can give no pledge that it will be passed through all its stages this Session.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTWill the Bill which it is proposed to introduce represent a national scheme of education in all its stages?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not know what the hon. Member means by "all its stages," but it will represent, at any rate, the first stage.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIn all its grades?
§ The PRIME MINISTERPerhaps the hon. Member will wait to see when it is introduced.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODWill the Bill be merely read a first time or shall we have an opportunity of debating it in this House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERCertainly.