HC Deb 30 June 1920 vol 131 cc439-40
54. Mr. McGUFFIN

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the assurance given by him that the Irish Education Bill would be put through the House correlatively with the Government of Ireland Bill, at present in Committee stage in the House, he is prepared to fulfil that promise and fix a definite day for the Second Reading of the Irish Education Bill?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I can add nothing to the previous replies on this subject.

Mr. MOLES

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the Government do not intend to proceed with the Bill?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The reply of the Prime Minister, to which I have referred, says definitely that the Government do intend to proceed with the Bill.

Mr. MOLES

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any notion of when the Second Reading will take place—this year or the next?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The intention of the Government is as I have stated it.

Mr. McGUFFIN

May I ask whether it is now the deliberate policy of the Government to delegate this question to the consideration of, and settlement by, the prospective Parliaments in Ireland? In view of the doubt entertained, is it not desirable that an explicit statement should be made?

Mr. BONAR LAW

If the hon. Member will read the reply of the Prime Minister to which I have referred, he will see that it makes an explicit statement.

Mr. MOLES

Wait and see!

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