HC Deb 25 June 1855 vol 139 cc109-11

Order read for resuming Adjourned Debate on Amendment proposed to Question [2nd May], "That the Bill be now read a second time;" and which Amendment was to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six mouths."

Question again proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON moved that the adjourned debate on this Bill should be further adjourned until Monday next.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the debate be further adjourned till Monday next."

LORD SEYMOUR

said, he thought the time of the House would be better occupied in proceeding with measures which might be brought to a practical conclusion than in resuming a discussion that could not lead to any result this Session. If this Bill were to be sent to a Select Committee, the other two Educational Bills must also be sent, and that ought not, in his opinion, to be done pro formâ, or without a decided affirmation of the principle. He therefore thought it would be better to discharge the Order. He should, therefore, move the adjournment of the debate for three months. He should divide the House, and if he failed, would repeat his Motion on Monday.

Amendment proposed, to leave out the words "Monday next," in order to add the words "this day three months," instead thereof." Question proposed, "That the words 'Monday next' stand part of the Question."

LORD JOHN RUSSELL

said, he agreed that the second reading of such a measure as this ought not to be agreed to pro formâ. As there had already been considerable discussion upon this Bill, he thought at least a decision upon it should be obtained. If, however, the opposition which had been offered to this Bill were to be repeated on the two others—on which, for instance, the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Oxfordshire (Mr. Henley) might repeat his long and able speech—it might occupy too considerable a portion of the time of the House. He thought the best plan would be to agree to the Motion of the right hon. Baronet (Sir J. Pakington), who would then state on Monday what course he, upon consideration, thought it best to take in regard to the Bill.

MR. MILNER GIBSON

said, the noble Lord (Lord Seymour) seemed disposed to deal with these three important measures in a very summary manner. He (Mr. M. Gibson) had introduced one of them, the Free School Bill, the second reading of which had not even been discussed yet. He thought the country would ask why all the time had been spent on these Bills, if they were now to be got rid of by a Motion for an indefinite adjournment.

MR. LIDDELL

said, he considered that every Member was pledged to forward a measure of education, seeing that at the hustings education had been a password of every one of them; and he therefore supported the Motion of his right hon. Friend.

MR. WALPOLE

said, he thought his right lion. Friend ought to be allowed a few days to consider what course he should adopt, and would suggest that on Monday the noble Lord (Lord Seymour), instead of renewing his present Motion, should move that the Order of the Day for the second reading of the Bill be discharged.

MR. KINNAIRD

said, he was of opinion that the country would approve the postponement of the Bills until next Session.

SIR WILLIAM CLAY

said, he should support the Motion of the noble Lord, but urged him to accede to the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Walpole).

MR. HENLEY

said, he would also appeal to the noble Lord, to withdraw his Motion. He thought the hon. Baronet opposite (Sir W. Clay) might profit by the advice which had been given as to the withdrawal of measures which would probably take up a great deal of time, but were not likely to become law.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Main Question put, and agreed to. Debate further adjourned till Monday next.

The House adjourned at half after One o'clock.