§ CAPTAIN SINCLAIR (Forfar)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in consideration of the terms of paragraph 7 of the Scotch Education Minute of 27th April 1899, upon which no action will be taken before 27th May, he will give an opportunity for the discussion of that Minute before the Whitsuntide Recess.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThis Minute will no doubt become law unless it is discussed within a certain number of days, and I believe the Scotch Members have desired an opportunity to discuss it. I suggested a discussion on the Scotch Estimates last Friday week, but it was found to be inconvenient to the Gentlemen interested in the question. I had therefore to defer its consideration to a later date, but I cannot give a day for the discussion.
§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)I wish to ask whether, having regard to all the circumstances connected with this Minute, the honourable Gentleman will not undertake on the part of the Government that no action shall be taken on it until the House has an opportunity, which will naturally arise on the Scotch Estimates, of considering it.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI could not answer that question without consulting the Secretary for Scotland, but I may point out that this Minute can be superseded at any time by another Minute, if the House indicated that this course was desirable.
§ CAPTAIN SINCLAIR (Forfar)In consequence of the right honourable Gentleman's reply I will ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House at the close of questions.