§ 62. Mr. LYNNasked the Prime Minister whether assurances have been given to the Roman Catholic bishops in Ireland that the Government do not intend to proceed with the Irish Education Bill; and whether, in view of the urgency of educational reforms in Ireland, he will state the intentions of the Cabinet in this matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The great pressure of Parliamentary business is responsible for the delay.
§ Mr. LYNNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that negotiations have been going on, that while they are in progress tens of thousands of children cannot find school accommodation and that thousands of teachers are being half starved?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not aware of any negotiations that are going on.
§ Mr. LYNNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the learned Attorney-General a few minutes ago announced that the Bill has been postponed because negotiations were going on in Ireland?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI did not know.
Lieut.-Colonel ALLENThis Bill has been down for almost six months for Second Reading. Will the right hon. Gentleman state the reason why the Government will not proceed with this absolutely necessary Measure?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy hon. Friend has been long enough here to know that there are a good many other Bills which are also necessary. You cannot run them all simultaneously. It is necessary to make some sort of selection.