HC Deb 22 January 1897 vol 45 cc291-2
SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is the intention of the Government to again propose to give help in the Education Bill to the poor school board districts, to which help was to have been given by Clause 4 of the Government Bill of last year; and, in the event of its not being the intention of the Government to propose such help in the Bill of the present year, whether the title chosen for the Bill will shut out Amendments on the subject from being proposed to the House?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (MR. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

I do not think it would be desirable in answer to a question to make any statement as to the framework or details of a Bill not yet introduced.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Monmouthshire, W.)

I observe that last night there was a vote on the Paper for a Committee to consider the authorising of the payment out of moneys to be provided by Parliament of grants in aid of voluntary schools and for repealing so much of Section 19 of the Elementary Education Act, 1876, as imposes a limit on the Parliamentary grant to elementary schools in England land Wales. I observe on the Order Book to-day a notice to take that Committee, and I would ask the right hon. Gentleman before that Committee is taken whether he will lay on the Table the terms of it.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I will inquire into the practice on this matter, but I believe it is not in accordance with the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman. If I am wrong I will certainly propose what is usual in such circumstances.

SIR C. DILKE

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered whether the use of the word "voluntary" will shut out the other matters from discussion?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I don't think I can answer a question of order.

SIR C. DILKE

May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether on a Bill dealing with voluntary schools it would be in order to raise any case except that of voluntary schools?

MR. SPEAKER

I should prefer not to answer a hypothetical question of that kind until I see what is really before the House. [Ministerial laughter and cheers.]