§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSYsaid, the Bill as it stood seemed to prejudge a question in which a deep interest was felt in Ireland—namely, what authority was to control the teaching of Science and Art in Ireland. The section dealing with this point required explanation, and in order to give an opportunity for it, if possible, he would move that the Bill be read a second time that day three months. The main object was a desirable one—the constitution of a national museum and library in Dublin. This was achieved, so far as the creation of powers for the purpose, by the 4th and 11th sections of the Bill. The only observation he found it necessary to mate on this part was, that care would be necessary to prevent undue expenditure in buildings, so as to insure the adequate apportionment of money for teaching purposes throughout the island. The difficulty laid in the 6th section, which provided that the library and museum should be kept in Ireland by the Department of Science and Art, "for the use of the public, subject to the provisions of this Act, and to such regulations as may be made in pursuance thereof." These words gave the Department power to adopt any scheme they chose for the teaching of Science and Art in Ireland, and to decide on the relations to be borne to the country by the South Kensington Museum. The hon. and learned Member for Louth (Mr. Sullivan) had advocated, with the approval of the House, a system under which local control and management, working harmoniously with South Kensington, would be maintained, and he feared the words of the clause gave the Department of Science and Art complete power to depart from that principle.
§ Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day three months."—(Mr. O'Shaughnessy.)
967§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHsaid, that whatever might be the language of the Bill, it was not intended to prejudge the question alluded to by the hon. Member. The object was to prepare the way for the creation of a national museum and library, and when Parliament came to be asked for money for that purpose, hon. Members would be enabled to discuss how that institution might best be managed. He proposed to alter the language of the 6th section in such a way as to remove the ambiguity complained of by the hon. and learned Member for Limerick, and to leave the question quite open
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed.