§ MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSH (Inverness-shire)rose to move—
That an humble Address he presented to Her Majesty, praying Her Majesty to withhold Her consent to the scheme for the management of the Mackintosh Farr Fund.
§ MR. H. F. H. ELLIOT (Ayrshire, N.)I rise to a point of Order. The scheme was only laid on the Table tonight, and has not yet been printed and circulated. I wish to ask, under the circumstances, if the House can proceed with the consideration of this scheme?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)On the point of Order, Sir, I may remind you that the scheme was laid on the Table last Session and is re-laid to-night, and that it has, therefore, been printed and circulated.
§ MR. FINLAY (Inverness, &c.)Having the scheme hung up in this way is detrimental to educational interests. If it be possible, I hope it may be dealt with to-night. The scheme was in the hands of Members last Session, and I do not think there would be any inconvenience in proceeding with the Motion to-night.
§ DR. CLARK (Caithness)This scheme, Sir, was laid on the Table of the House on August 30 last year. Now, is the period for which it is to lie on the Table to count from that date? If so, this will be the 59th night of Parliament. Should the scheme date back from August 30, or should this be the first of 60 days?
§ MR. SPEAKERI understand it was laid on the Table to-night, and must, therefore, so far as the cognizance of the house is concerned, be regarded as a new scheme, and date from to-day.
§ DR. CLARKA measure exactly similar was discussed here a short time since—I mean the scheme for the parish of Dollar. Would the Rule equally apply there? The scheme was never laid on the Table at all this Session.
§ MR. SPEAKERI cannot give a ruling on a case unless I have all the circumstances before me. My ruling applies to the scheme laid on the Table to-night.
§ MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSHThe Motion I intended to bring on, Mr. Speaker, was in regard to the scheme laid on the Table last year; and as it has fallen, by the introduction of the new scheme, I do not proceed at present.