§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR, (Liverpool, Scotland)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, in view of his motion for the suspension of the 12 o'clock Rule, whether he was aware that not a single Irish Member had yet had an opportunity of speaking on the Second Reading of the Education Bill?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI do not think that the statement made by the hon. Gentleman is quite accurate.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORI think that one Member did speak.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYOne hon. Member from Ireland has spoken, and this is not a Bill directly or immediately affecting Irish interests. 1152 Although, of course, we are always glad to hear Irish opinion upon it, it does not primarily affect Ireland, and, therefore, we should naturally expect the majority of those who speak to be English Members.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this question deeply and nearly affects—
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, Order! The Rule is that when there is a Motion down on the Paper for the suspension of the 12 o'clock Rule it shall be put without Amendment or Debate. It would be against the spirit of that Rule to raise a Debate by way of question and answer immediately before the question is put.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY,moved—
That the proceedings of the Second Reading of the Education Bill, if Under discussion at 12 o'clock this night, be not interrupted under the Standing Order Sittings of the House.
§ The House divided:—Ayes, 279; Noes, 153.—(Division List, No. 137.)