Lord Broughamwished to ask a question of the noble Viscount, namely, whether he had any objection to lay before the House certain education returns, that had been laid before the other House of Parliament by 351 Lord John Russell? He could not but take that opportunity to express his extreme satisfaction, and he said it most heartily, his extreme satisfaction, at the course taken by the Government, in directing attention forthwith to the great and important subject of national education. This gave him the greatest satisfaction, and he should be most willing to enter into the consideration of any plan, that they should think proper to introduce, with all the disposition possible to support that plan. This was a subject to which he had paid very great attention for the last twenty years of his life, as was well known to the public by the reports of the other House of Parliament, by the reports of the Commission which he had occasion to issue, and by the various motions which he had brought forward on this subject; and it was therefore natural, that he should feel great happiness in seeing the subject taken up by the Government. Provided the object he had in view were attained, he did not care by what channel, or through what discourtesy it was attained. He should give as hearty and as effective a support as he could to the measure, if he could approve of it upon examination, as if it were his own. His noble Friends in the progress of the measure through that House should have all the benefits of his experience and the assistance of his zeal, and he thanked them heartily for having taken the subject into their consideration.
§ The Marquess of Lansdownesaid, that it was by accident only, that he was not able to lay the returns on the table of the House that day, and he certainly hoped to do so to-morrow. The measure which would be introduced might not, perhaps, be so extensive as the Members of the Government thought it ought to be, but it went as far as they thought practicable. He could only say, that the Government was most anxious, in the progress of any measure, to receive any suggestions that might fall from any noble Lords, and most especially from a person who had devoted so large a portion of his attention to the subject as his noble and learned Friend. Their object at present was, rather to make a beginning than to introduce a complete plan, and, of course, with that object in view, their measure would be of such a nature as would be least objectionable to all parties, and which should meet all their feelings, and 352 it would be for the House to consider, either in that or future Sessions, when they had the experience of a beginning, whether it would be proper to extend it.
Lord Broughamsaid, that nothing could be more just than the observations of the noble Marquess. In a subject so open to controversy of a delicate kind, it was necessary at first only to do that which could be safely and easily done. At the same time he must remind his noble Friends, that they were in very great difficulty. If they brought in a plan that was too little, they would disappoint their supporters and the natural friends of the measure, and would lose their support, and, at the same time, excite as great a degree of animosity among their opposers; whereas a more extensive plan, whilst it was more satisfactory, would give them the full support of their friends.