VISCOUNT GOSCHENMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend the Leader of the House, I beg to move the Motion standing in his name on the Order Paper. The object of the Motion is to meet the convenience of those interested in the Bill.
§ Moved, That leave be given to the Baroness Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie to advance the Second Reading of the Education (Scotland) Bill from Friday, the 21st, to Monday, the 10th instant.—(Viscount Goschen.)
§ LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEYMy Lords, I wish to give vent to a slight feeling of reservation about this. Not 452 only is this the third day on which this Bill has been on the Order Paper, but it is certainly not for the convenience of all those concerned. For instance, my noble friend Lord Thurso, who lives in the furthest North of Scotland—and this is a Scottish Bill—is unable to get to your Lordships' House for Monday's business without leaving quite early on Sunday; and as a result he will not be able to take part. I realise that it is not possible to please everyone, but I should have thought that a Scottish Bill of such a highly contentious nature might have been taken in the middle of the week.
§ LORD BALERNOMy Lords, may I congratulate the Leader of the House on this change of date, in that he has recognised that the date at present on the Order Paper coincides with the meeting of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland?
VISCOUNT GOSCHENMy Lords, I am sorry if it is impossible for the noble Viscount, Lord Thurso, to be present, but in these matters it is very difficult to please everybody.
§ LORD SHEPHERDThen why not withdraw the Bill? That would be the best thing.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.