§ 23. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether, seeing that the education inquiry in holding its sittings in private is disregarding the wishes of parents, teachers, and the public, and therefore their Report can have no value, he will request them to hold their sittings in public?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAs I have already informed the hon. Member, the mode of conducting their proceedings is a matter entirely for the Committee.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLIs there any precedent for a Committee appointed by this House to inquire into a public matter holding private sittings?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI think there is precedent on the understanding that all questions and answers are fully reported and made public afterwards.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLAs the teachers and public are very interested in having this inquiry in public, cannot some steps be taken to have it held in public?
§ Mr. BIRRELL"Public" is a very wide term. The Committee have thought, having regard to the very delicate and domestic nature of this inquiry into the teachers, on the whole they would be more likely to conduct their proceedings satisfactorily if the public were excluded. I do not say I share that view, but that is the view of the Committee.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I shall raise this question on the Adjournment.
§ Mr. FLAVINDoes the right hon. Gentleman see any objection to the Press being present to report the proceedings?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have appointed a very representative and excellent Committee, with very great difficulty, containing a number of persons who, I am sure, will give satisfaction, and after full consideration and discussion they have come to a particular conclusion. To drag me into it and try to overrule them is, I think, unreasonable.