Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the Lord Advocate whether it is proposed to accede to the suggestion that the school boards of Scotland should receive notice of proposed changes in the code three months before the code is laid upon the Table of the Houses of Parliament; that three months should elapse between the time when the code is laid upon the Table and the time when it becomes law; and that reasonable facilities should be given for its discussion?
§ Mr. UREIt has been the practice of the Department for a considerable period to give those interested as long notice as possible of any changes of importance which are under consideration for introduction into the code or to defer for a reasonable time the operation of new or revised articles. It is obvious, however, that all changes are not of equal importance, and it would scarcely be in the interests of smooth working and good administration to interpose the long delay suggested in the question as a rigid rule applicable even to changes of minor consequence. The extension of the statutory time for consideration of the code by Parliament and the granting of facilities for discussion in any particular instance are matters within the discretion of Parliament itself.