§ * EARL BEAUCHAMPMy Lords, seeing the Lord President of the Council in his place, I will ask him when we may expect to have the print of the New Education Code, which was laid on the Table of your Lordships' House on the 10th March, furnished to us?
§ * THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Viscount CRANBROOK)In answer to my noble Friend, I will state the circumstances which have prevented the Code being furnished in printed form as early as is usual. My noble Friend is aware that the late Secretary of the Education Department died suddenly, and some time must elapse before matters can be brought into the condition in which they would have been if he had lived. Had his death not occurred the printed Code would have been furnished earlier. No delay took place in the appointment of a successor, but that gentleman has necessarily had a great deal of business thrust upon him in taking up his predecessor's work, and his time has been very much occupied. I may add that a great misfortune also has happened to him. A few days ago his wife was taken from him suddenly, and he was obliged to be absent from his duties for necessarily a time. There has consequently been some delay in printing the New Code, though it is in a forward state. It is now in print to a great extent, but requires careful revision. Measures have been taken for the preparation of the Instructions to Inspectors, so that they also will be laid upon the Table, if not actually with the Code, not long afterwards. I believe before the House rises for the Easter Recess the Code will be in your Lordships' hands. I need hardly say that I will do my best to secure it.
§ * VISCOUNT CRANBROOKYes; the time will run from the presentation of the printed Code.