HC Deb 23 February 1897 vol 46 cc980-1
MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether the Government would favourably consider a proposal to include Clause 24 of the Education Bill of last Session in the Bill now before the House?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I do not think it would be consistent with the Resolution the House has passed, to enlarge the scope of the Bill in the direction the hon. Gentleman desires. There are other objections also to the course he suggests.

MR. JOHN DILLON (Mayo, E.)

asked the right, hon. Gentleman whether the Government, proposed to take Wednesday, March 10, the day on which the Irish Land Bill was the first order?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I think I indicated in answer to a question put yesterday that we could not interrupt, the business of the Committee stage of the Education Bill for a lengthy discussion on other matters. ["Hear, hear!"] Whether the Education Bill will be finished by the 10th of March it is impossible for me to say. The Bill will be taken on Thursday next and will go on de die in diem. The 10th of March would be the eighth day of discussion in Committee, and I should have thought that after eight days a short Bill might be easily disposed of. ["Hear, hear!"] But perhaps the hon. Gentleman has better information than I have.

MR. DILLON

said the right hon. Gentleman used a rather ambiguous expression when he said the discussion on the Education Bill could not be interrupted by a lengthened discussion on another Bill. Was the Irish party to receive this treatment as a reward for their support of the Education Bill?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

replied that the hon. Member boasted of having supported the Government on the Education Bill, but he would remind him that he opposed every attempt of the Government to find time to discuss it. ["Hear, hear!" and laughter.]