HC Deb 15 August 1887 vol 319 cc647-8

Resolution [13th August] reported. That a sum not exceeding £1,658,807, be granted to Her Majesty to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on March 31st 1888, for Public Education in England and Wales, including Expenses of the Education Office in London.

MR. CONYBEAEE (Cornwall, Cambourne)

I do not want to detain the House at this hour; but on Saturday, when the Education Estimates were under discussion in Committee, I intimated to the Government that I had some matters of importance in which I was interested to bring forward in connection with education, but I then waived my right to bring these matters forward owing to the strong desire expressed by the Government to take the Vote, and proceed with the Scotch Estimates. The right hon. Gentleman the Vice President of the Council (Sir William Hart Dyke) suggested I should have an opportunity on Report to bring forward the matter; but I am willing—seeing that it is now so late—either to put my few points briefly or, if it is more convenient, I will communicate with him privately, and perhaps he will give me the information I desire.

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Sir WILLIAM HART DYKE) (Kent, Dartford)

I think I intimated on Saturday that I purposely avoided alluding to the questions the hon. Gentleman wished to raise, because they are most of them of a rather controversial character, and I think are before the Commission now sitting. I can only say they are questions to which I will give most careful attention, and I shall be glad to meet the hon. Gentleman at any time; but I must observe there are some matters upon which I must speak with all reserve until the Commissioners have reported.

MR. CONYBEARE

I am very much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for his courtesy. I am quite aware that some of the points are of a controversial character, and more or less included in the inquiry by the Commission; but there are one or two of much importance to a worthy class of teachers in elementary schools, and I should not fulfil the trust they have reposed in me if I did not call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to them. But I do not wish to trouble the House now, and will avail myself of the permission of the right hon. Gentleman to bring the matter before him more specifically in private.

Resolution agreed to.