§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)asked when the House would be in possession of the terms of the guillotine Resolution for future stages of the Education Bill; and also what would be the business for Monday and Tuesday next.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fifeshire, E.The Answer to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's Question is, To-morrow. The Committee stage of the Education Bill will be taken on Monday and Tuesday.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the great inconvenience that will follow from proceeding so quickly with a Bill with the provisions of which we have only just been made acquainted? Does he not think that the cause of conciliation would be better served by giving a little more time for consideration and for communication between the parties interested?
§ MR. ASQUITHI do not think so. I have followed the matter very carefully indeed, with the anxious desire—no one is more interested in it than I am—for general conciliation and agreement.
§ LORD R. CECILasked what time would be available for hon. Members interested to put down Amendments for the Committee stage. How could they in so short a time give proper consideration to the Bill? If the right hon. Gentleman really hoped that this was to be in any degree a settlement of this question he ought to treat the House with something like decent courtesy and respect.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI also should like to point out how very inconvenient it will be to discuss Amendments without proper notice. I wish further to ask when we shall have in our hands the financial statement promised by the right hon. Gentleman.
§ MR. ASQUITHIt is already in the Vote Office.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEasked whether it would not meet the convenience of the House if the Coal Mines (Eight Hours) Bill were taken on Monday, so as to give proper time for the consideration of Amendments to the Education Bill.
§ MR. ASQUITHWe hope to take that Bill to-morrow evening. I think there will be ample time to hand in Amendments to-morrow and Friday.
§ LORD R. CECILCan the right hon. Gentleman give any precedent whatever for the treatment of a first-class Government measure in the way in which it is proposed to treat this measure?
§ MR. ASQUITHIt is really an unprecedented measure.
§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Cork)Why not take the Second Reading of the Irish Land Bill on Monday?
§ [No Answer was returned.]