HC Deb 10 May 1866 vol 183 cc721-2

£520,530, Public Education, Great Britain.

MR. BENTINCK

expressed a hope that the Government would not proceed with the Estimates in the then state of the Committee. He had been requested by the First Commissioner of Works, at about seven o'clock, not to bring forward the Motion he had upon the paper, because it was impossible for the Government to go into Committee of Supply. Other hon. Members were, he believed, under a similar impression; and, in addition to that, the obvious importance of the subject made the introduction of it to such a Committee little short of a mockery. He, therefore, appealed to the Government not to proceed with the Vote.

MR. HADFIELD

supported the appeal. They had not a House present, yet they were voting away millions of money.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, intimation had been given to those Gentlemen most interested in the Estimates under consideration as to the course the Government proposed to pursue; but after what had fallen from hon. Gentleman, he suggested that they should proceed with the other Votes; and perhaps an hour hence, at about half past ten, the state of the House would admit of their considering the Educational Estimate.

MR. BENTINCK

said, the next Vote was of equal importance.

MR. CHILDERS

asserted that when asked by several hon. Members what course the Government would pursue, he had most distinctly stated that at about nine o'clock the Government would take Supply. Still, if it were the wish of hon. Gentlemen he would consent to postpone Class IV.

MR. BENTINCK

said, the Motion he had upon the paper dealt with Science and Art, and it was necessary, in his opinion, that that Motion be proceeded with before the Vote was considered. He, therefore, moved that the Chairman report Progress.

MR. CHILDERS

hoped the Motion would not be pressed, and offered to go on with Class V.

MR. HADFIELD

said, the Votes in Class VI, for religious purposes in Ireland, ought not to come on in the present state of the House.

MR. CHILDERS

said, he believed every Member who complained of that Vote was present when he stated that he would take it to-night.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again,"—(Mr. Bentinck,)—put, and negatived.