§ COLONEL MILWARD (Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the great number of Amendments to the Education Bill, it is possible, either by arrangement, or by the intervention of the Speaker, or by the Committee of Selection, or by an Amendment Committee, to give priority to those Amendments upon each clause or upon each line which are deemed to be the most important, and thus to 862 insure that they receive due and adequate discussion?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI am afraid that no arrangement is possible on this subject, as it would require, not only the assent of the Government, but also the assent of the Gentlemen who have put down Amendments to the Bill, which assent is not likely to be given. I hope that all the important Amendments to the Bill will receive adequate discussion. With regard to any change of our procedure in Committee, I do not say that such change is not desirable, and that it may not some day become necessary; but I do not think that on the present occasion, or in the present Session, it would be possible to make any large alteration in the Rules to which the House is accustomed.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESIs the First Lord aware that the Amendments to the Bill already on the Paper number 1,335? [Laughter.]
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI do not quite know how that Question arises out of my answer; but I have no doubt the calculation of my hon. friend is correct, though I have not made it myself. [Laughter.]