HC Deb 26 June 1891 vol 354 c1676

On the Motion for Adjournment,

(12.8.) MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

I take the opportunity to ask the Secretary to the Treasury for a word of explanation of the mysterious proceedings in connection with the Loans for Schools and Training Colleges (Ireland) Bill, the Order for the Second Reading of which has been discharged to-night. I have asked some half a dozen or ten times that this Bill should be placed in the hands of Members, but it has never been produced, printed, or circulated, and now it has been withdrawn and another Bill has been substituted with a different title, and I assume of a different nature. Now, the Government have proposed to themselves two objects in dealing with the subject—one as concerning the manner in which these institutions have been dealt with in the past, and the other as regards their future position. Judging from its title the substituted Bill relates only to past disbursements; and I would ask whether the Government propose to deal with these schools and colleges in Ireland by means of a Supplementary Estimate, or in what way, for the Bill does not appear to carry out the announced intention of the Government?

THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.

The hon. Member has not, I think, seen the substituted Bill.

MR. SEXTON

I have seen no Bill.

MR. JACKSON

I endeavoured to explain the other night that further consideration of the question had led to the drafting of a new Bill with a different title; but the Bill, as the hon. Member will find when he sees it, enables everything which my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary has promised to be carried out. It will accomplish all that my right hon. Friend has promised to do.

House adjourned at ten minutes after Twelve o'clock, till Monday next.