§ MR. JAMES BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can state on what plan there will be allotted to Scotland a grant from the Exchequer proportionately equivalent to the new grant proposed to be made to England for educational purposes, under the Education Bill brought in by Her Majesty's Government; and 1013 in what form it is intended to bring before the House such equivalent grant?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,): Manchester, E.I am afraid I cannot give any adequate answer to the right hon. Gentleman at the present time. I ought, perhaps, to say at once that the Government are not of opinion that the principle of equivalent grants is applicable to the case of education, and whatever is done for Scotland must be done on a principle different from that which he appears to contemplate.
§ MR. BRYCEMay I ask whether, in one form or another, there will be given to Scotland something to compensate the Scotch taxpayers for what they will pay in respect of the English Education Bill not applying to Scotland?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThat involves the discussion of the fundamental principle on which this should be done. The right hon. Gentleman is doubtless aware that Scotland has been given more than English taxpayers in respect of education for many years past.
§ MR. T. R. BUCHANANThe Chancellor of the Exchequer promised us an equivalent grant in his Budget speech?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI never said a word on the subject. [Laughter.]
§ MR. BRYCEWhen will the First Lord of the Treasury be prepared to make a statement on the subject?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI have no doubt I shall be able to make a statement on the Question before Whitsuntide.