be legislation, there would be difficulty in carrying on manœuvres at all. There TELEGRAPHS [ADVANCES]. Committee thereupon deferred till was sufficient protection to the owners Monday next. and occupiers of land in the fact that an TION OF FRAUD) BILL. Second Reading deferred till Thursday, 23rd April. Order in Council must lie on the Table SALE OF FOREIGN GOODS (PREVENin both Houses for 30 days, and in the fact that the Army Votes would afford several opportunities in the course of a Session of discussing these matters. He sincerely trusted that nothing would lead the House to reverse the decision it had already come to that reasonable facilities should be allowed for the conduct of the manœuvres. Question put "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Clause." The Committee divided :-Ayes, 204; Noes, 46.-(Division List, No. 76.) And, it being after Midnight, the Chairman left the Chair to make his Report to the House. Committee report progress; to sit again To-morrow. BERRIEW SCHOOL BILL. morrow. BOYNE NAVIGATION TRANSFER BILL. next. EDINBURGH GENERAL REGISTER HOUSE BILL. Second Reading deferred till Monday next. EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES BILL. CONCILIATION (TRADE DISPUTES) LOCAL GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) (PUBLIC HEALTH RATING) No. 2 BILL. Second Reading deferred till Thursday, 30th April. DISTRESS ABOLITION AND SUBSTI- Second Reading deferred till Tuesday, 28th April. LOCAL GOVERNMENT (QUALIFICATION MILITIA BILL. Second Reading deferred till Thursday, 23rd April. COLONIAL MARRIAGES BILL. Second Reading deferred till Monday next. LAW AGENTS (SCOTLAND) BILL. Second Reading deferred till To morrow. PLACES OF WORSHIP (LEASEHOLD next. DAY SCHOOL CODE (ARTICLE 89). MR. H. C. F. LUTTRELL (Devon, Tavistock) moved "That an humble address be presented to Her Majesty praying Her Majesty to withhold her consent from so much of Article 89 in the Day School Code for England and Wales (1896) as provides that the School Account and Report Second Reading deferred till Monday shall be open to inspection during the six next. MILITARY LANDS ACT (1892) AMEND MENT BILL. months following the date of the notice instead of during the ensuing year as in the preceding Code." He contended that the article referred Second Reading deferred till Monday to marked a retrograde step taken by next. NAVAL RESERVE BILL. the Education Department, and one that would be very inconvenient to the public. In the past the public had been able to Committee deferred till Monday, 13th inspect, for practically the whole year, April. the school accounts; but, if the new Mr. Brodrick. MR. A. H. DYKE ACLAND Code passed, they would be prevented | deep designs as had been attributed to from inspecting the accounts for about them by hon. Gentlemen opposite. one-half of the year. The parishioners, consequently, would now have to inquire what was the exact time when the inspection was made; what was the exact time to which the six months would last, and when they could go and see the accounts. This was placing the parishioners, therefore, in a very inconvenient position; and, as he saw no reason for this retrograde step, he begged to move the Motion standing in his name. (Yorks, W.R., Rotherham) said, that as he was responsible for the words "the ensuing year" about three years ago, perhaps he might be allowed to explain how they came to be inserted. He merely gave instructions in the Department that it would be convenient that the report and accounts should be available during the whole year from one report for twelve months till the next report, which came when the twelve months were over. He was not at all MR. F. S. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye), in seconding the Motion, said, the change as it stood was absolutely incomprehensible. The Vice President concerned in the words adopted. The might possibly defend the change on the Committee of the Department provided ground that the words "ensuing year" the words which they thought would involved a certain amount of ambiguity; fulfil that intention, and they inserted but if that were so, why not substitute the words "during the ensuing year." the words "for the 12 months following the date of the notice." Every opportunity should be given for the utmost publicity, and any step which in any way diminished that opportunity ought, it seemed to him, to be entirely deprecated by this House. 66 During the past three years he had not heard jin the Department any doubt on the subject, and if there should be any doubt as to the meaning of the words "during the ensuing year" he suggested that instead of "ensuing year "twelve months should be inserted. THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE *MR. C. HARRISON (Plymouth) said, COUNCIL (Sir JOHN GORST, Cam- that the rule the House was discussing bridge University) said, he thought he appeared under "General Conditions could in a very few words explain to the "Annual Grants." The language used House the reason for this change. By in the rules was varied and adapted with the old Code, the school accounts, say for apt words according to the object for the year 1895, were to be open to inspec- which the rules were intended tc tion at the schools or some other con-operate. Thus, as regards matters venient place "in the ensuing year. between the school and the DepartThe accounts would not be generally re- ment, if reference were made to No. ceived until 1896. Some persons said 94, under the head of Payment the ensuing year was 1896; some of Grant," the language of the Order people said the ensuing year meant spoke of the date of payment being due the year ensuing from the date on which at the end of the "school year," and the the accounts were received, and some word "school" was inserted before people said "the ensuing year" was "year" where it dealt with that branch 1897. With this ambiguity it occurred of the subject. Again, when the Order to the Committee of the Council that it referred to inspection, and where it would be well to remove it, and there- referred to returns it spoke of "annual fore they made the time at which the returns." Further, when the Orders dealt accounts should lie run from the date at with matters affecting the outside which the report and accounts were re- public they directed that the acceived and published. Then came the counts were to be open for inspection for question should they lie for six months the ensuing year. He could hardly un or twelve months, and the Committee derstand what possible doubt could arise of the Council came to the conclusion as to the meaning of the word "year. that six months was ample time to allow As regards the outside public he anybody who objected to the report and contended that word 66 year accounts to come and inspect them. meant 12 months, and that the introducThat was really the whole case. The tion of the word "ensuing" before the Committee of the Council had no such word "year" meant what the Orders 66 the House, MR. CALDWELL objected. *MR. SPEAKER said it was most unusual for an hon. Member to object to such a Motion, which was of a formal nature. MR. CALDWELL: I understand, Mr. Speaker, we have a right to object, and I must object. MR. JOHN MORLEY hoped his hon. Friend would not persevere in his objection to a Motion which, as Mr. Speaker had told them, was a purely formal proceeding. expressed "ensuing," 'ensuing," which signified | STANDING COMMITTEE ON LAW. the 12 months ensuing the publication On the Motion that the Standing of the accounts. For many reasons Committee on Law have leave to sit this it was advisable that the suggested day notwithstanding the sittings of the alterations should be made, and that the books should be open to inspection for the 12 months composing the year. It seemed to him that it would be very imprudent of the Educational Department at this moment to do anything which would make it at all possible for people to say that they wished to withhold information from the public. [Cries of "Divide, divide!"] From experience they knew that in a rural parish questions would often arise amongst those interested as to the accounts of the school managers-[cries of "Divide !"—and it was well that every MR. ARTHUR PEASE (Darlington) means should be afforded for their settle- said this was the last meeting of the ment. [Cries of "Divide!" and inter- Committee prior to the adjournment ruption.] Unless the books were open for Easter, and as there might be some for inspection all the 12 months it business which it might be desired to would be impossible to institute a com- finish, it was thought desirable they parison between one 12 months' and should have the opportunity of finally the ensuing 12 months' account, and settling it before the adjournment. He if the accounts were only to be ex- did not think it was intended to sit after hibited six months there would be no three o'clock, but, for the reason he had means of instituting a comparison. It stated, it was thought desirable they might happen that some discontented should haye liberty to do so if necessary. person who wished for information, DR. CLARK said that when the would go to the managers for permission question of Standing Committees came to see books of the past 12 months, up it was urged that hon. Members and the managers might say-"Oh! should either be here doing their work Your opportunity has passed, or upstairs, and at that time it was and we will not let you see the decided that when the bell should books," [interruption]-or they might intimate to them that Mr. Speaker was say, "We are not obliged to let you see in the Chair, all Committees should be the books, but we will do so as a matter suspended. of favour." [Cries of "Divide!"] That state of things would create friction and discontent-[cries of "Divide ! "]—and nothing could be more detrimental to education itself. [Continued interrup tion and cries of "Divide!"] no. MR. HUMPHREYS OWEN (Montgomery), who was scarcely audible amidst the loud cries of "Divide!" said, he only wished in the interests of the schools themselves to enforce the appeal which had been made to the Vice President of the Council by the hon. Member for the Rotherham Division of the West Riding of York, and to express the hope that the suggestion of the right hon. Member would be adopted. The House divided: Ayes, 37; BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. On the Motion for the Adjournment of the House, MR. J. MORLEY said: Upon this Motion I want to make one or two remarks, and then to ask the First Lord of the Treasury a question. As I said, Sir, when you informed me that I was out of order, there is a universal feeling in all quarters of the House of surprise, disappointment, and, I think I may even say vexation, at the fact that we leave the House to-night ignorant of the contents of what is, undoubtedly, the most important Measure that the Government propose to lay before Parliament. Lord of the Treasury will meet me, if he possibly can, as what I have said expresses, I believe, the feeling of hon. Gentlemen opposite as well as upon this side of the House. DR. CLARK hoped the right hon. Gentleman would devote Monday instead of Friday to this purpose. [Cheers.] That circumstance is a very time, but there seems no reason why, at unfortunate one-[loud Ministerial seven o'clock, he would not be able to cheers]-but, of course, the Government go on with the other business, which was -the First Lord of the Treasury-must the Vote on account. Of course you have made some considerable miscalcula- would have to move the suspension of tion. I have not the least desire to the Standing Order, and possibly the 12 make any Party imputation-far from o'clock Rule. I am unwilling to think it; on the other hand, let hon. Gentle- that the First Lord of the Treasury will men be sure that no Party imputation is insist upon postponing the matter till cast against this side. ["Hear, hear!"] Monday instead of taking it to-day. He I have been here through the whole of said to-night that the Government rethe Sitting I should not make the re- garded it as a matter of great importance mark but for the reception given to what that the Speaker should be got out of the I have just said-and I will undertake Chair on Civil Service Estimates, but to say that as much time was consumed, that process will not get one single and fairly consumed, by Gentlemen shilling into the Exchequer, and I am sitting on that side as on this side. certain that this process is of not one["Hear, hear!"] Two right hon. Gen- tenth the importance to the House or tlemen-the Member for the University to the country as is the desirability of of London and the Member for Bodmin our being placed in possession of the -opened the discussion in a very fair Government's views in regard to their way. However that may be, the First educational proposals. I hope the First Lord of the Treasury has not received correct information from those who supply the Leader of the House with information in these matters, and the result is a great disappointment to the House, and, I am sure, the country. [Cheers.] Well, the question is, what proceeding will the Government resort to to enable the Vice President of the THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREACouncil to make the statement which we SURY said: The right hon. Gentleman expected to-night at the earliest possible the Member for the Montrose Burghs period? A dreadful, a shocking rumour has accused the Government of having has come to my ears, that it is proposed made a miscalculation as to the amount that this important statement as to the of time to be taken to-night by the dismost important Measure of the Session cussion upon the Naval Works Bill, and is to be postponed to a morning sitting no doubt such a miscalculation has taken on Tuesday next. I think it an unusual place. The question is, who is responsible proceeding in connection with so ex- for it? [Ministerial cheers.] I confess tremely important a Bill to have the statement at a morning sitting, when Gentlemen on both sides are eager to get away into the country. I would suggest to the Government that they might well make the statement to-morrow. [“Hear, hear!"] The First Lord of the Treasury has told us that he proposed to take, between the commencement of the public business and seven o'clock, I think he said, a few small military Votes: I submit to the First Lord of the Treasury that he would consult the convenience of the House, and meet the desires of Gentlemen in all parts of it, if he would put down the statement of the Vice President of the Council as the first business to-morrow. That statement will no doubt take some VOL. XXXIX. [FOURTH SERIES.] that nothing that has occurred to-night has led me to alter the opinion that I formed before our proceedings to-night commenced-namely, that two or three hours would have been amply sufficient to say everything that was worth saying upon the Naval Works Bill. [Cheers.] The right hon. Gentleman has told us that a large number of speeches have come from Gentlemen upon this side of the House, and, no doubt, that is perfectly true; but does the right hon. Gentleman remember what fell from his colleague on that Bench, the late Financial Secretary to the Admiralty? He pointed out the regrettable circumstance that much of the discussion took place not on any Naval propositions in this Bill, but upon the propositions that had already` M MR. MORLEY said, that he felt considerable difficulty in accepting the proposal of the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury on this sub stated that there were four items that the House would have to dispose of on Monday. In the first place the very important statement of the right hon. Gentleman the Minister for Education; next the Third Reading of the Naval Works Bill, upon which perhaps there would not be much discussion; then the Report on the Vote on account, and then the getting been discussed and passed in the late Parliament, and by the late Government, and introduced into their Bill on this subject. It was the opinion of the late Secretary to the Admiralty that those ject. The right hon. Gentleman had discussions need not have been repeated; that is also the opinion of the Government, and it is because we thought so that the miscalculation of which the right hon. Gentleman has spoken unfortunately occurred. I do not wish to waste the time of the House at this hour of the monring, and therefore I will be very brief in my. observations. The right hon. Gentleman opposite suggests the Speaker out of the Chair on the Civil that my right hon. Friend the Minister Service Estimates. He was afraid that for Education should make his statement there must be a certain amount of disto-morrow. I think that the answer to cussion upon some of these items, and that suggestion has already been given therefore he scarcely thought that the by the hon. Member opposite. There programme proposed by the right hon. has been no reason shown, I think, why, Gentleman could be carried out in its thus early in the Session, we should entirety. break through the Rule with regard to taking Supply on Fridays. In the circumstances, therefore, I do not think it will be possible for us to accept the right hon. Gentleman's first suggestion. There remains, then, to be considered the possibilities of what can be done in the two or three days which remain to us before this portion of the Session comes to an end. I am quite ready to put down the Education Bill as the first Order of the day on Monday, and to move to suspend the 12 o'clock Rule on that day on the understanding that the Bill is to be read a first time, that the Naval Works Bill is read a third time, and that the Speaker be got out of the chair on the Civil Service Estimates on that day. For my part I do not see why that should not be done. If it is not possible to carry out the agreement that I suggest, I am afraid I cannot suggest anything better than that my right hon. Friend should make his statement at the Morning Sitting on Tuesday, however inconvenient it may be for him to do so on the last day of the Sitting of the House before the Easter Recess. Of course the Report of the Vote on account will also have to be disposed of on Monday. First Lord of the Treasury. MR. T. R. BUCHANAN (Aberdeenshire, E.) pointed out that the third Motion on the Paper on going into Committee stood in the name of his hon. Friend the Member for Banffshire, and that would be the only possible opportunity they would have of discussing the important subject dealt with in that Motion. He would suggest to the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury that it would be possible to wait till after Easter to get the Speaker out of the Chair. THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY said, it would be extremely inconvenient to take that course, and, moreover, the Notices on the Paper did not seem to be of a kind that ought to whether he was right or wrong as to occupy very long in discussion; but, that, he thought the plan he had need not decide that question that night. suggested was a practical one, but they All they need decide was that to-morrow they would take Supply, and either on Monday or Tuesday his right hon. Friend would make his statement, and they would get the Speaker out of the Chair on the Civil Service Estimates. House adjourned at Ten minutes before One o'clock. |