M'Killop, W. Marnham, F. J. Masterman, C. F. G. Menzies, Walter Micklem, Nathaniel Morgan, G. Hay (Cornwall) Morgan, J. Lloyd (Carmarthen) Murphy, John Murray, James Napier, T. B. Nicholls, George Norton Capt. Cecil William O'Grady, J. Raphael, Herbert H. Rea, Walter Russell (Scarboro' Redmond, John E. (Waterford) Renton, Major Leslie Richards, T. F.(Wolverh'mpt'n Robson, Sir William Snowdon Rogers, F. E. Newman Runciman, Walter Shaw, Rt. Hon. T. (Hawick B.) O'Kelly, James(Roscommon, N Shipman, Dr. John G. O'Shaughnessy, P. J. Parker, James (Halifax) Pearce, Robert (Staffs. Leek) Sinclair, Rt. Hon. John Stanley, Hn. A. Lyulph(Chesh.) Stewart, Halley (Greenock) Taylor, John W. (Durham) Thomas, Sir A. (Glamorgan, E.) Torrance, Sir A. M. Trevelyan, Charles Philips Wadsworth, J. Walker, H. De R. (Leicester) Walters, John Tudor Walton, Sir John L. (Leeds, S.) Wason, Eugene (Clackmannan) White, Patrick (Meath, North) Wilkie, Alexander Wilson, Hon. C. H.W.(Hull, W. Yoxall, James Henry TELLERS FOR THE AYES-Mr. Acland-Hood, Rt.Hn.Sir Alex. F. Balfour, Rt.Hn. A.J.(City Lond.) Bridgeman, W. Clive Butcher, Samuel Henry Cavendish, Rt. Hon. VictorC.W. Douglas, Rt. Hon. A. Akers- NOES. Duncan, Robert (Lanark,Govan Kenyon-Slaney, Rt. Hon. Col. W Long, Rt. Hn Walter (Dublin,S) | Mason, James F. (Windsor) TELLERS FOR THE NOES-Col. EDUCATION ACTS AMENDMENT BILL. would not detain the House more than a Order for Second Reading read. few minutes. The Bill he asked the House to give a Second Reading was an MR. W. R. REA (Scarborough) moved absolutely non-contentious measure. Its the Second Reading of the Education two operative clauses were taken verActs Amendment Bill. He said that batim from last year's Education considering the short time available for Bill in the form in which it left the consideration of the measure he this House and had the approval of VOL. CLXX. [FOURTH SERIES.] Р every section of the House. Not only of the Government. The clauses it conwas the Bill supported by those whose tained had been taken from the Governnames appeared on the back of it, but the ment measure of last session without Leader of the Opposition, the hon. alteration, and were then regarded Member for North Camberwell, and the as non-contentious not only by the Memright hon. Gentleman the Member for bers of this House but also in another place. Oxford University united with them in The proposals had received the most declaring that these two clauses were careful consideration. The first clause worth the whole of last year's Bill put had been amended in such a way as to together. One of the clauses per- meet every suggestion that was made by mitted school authorities to provide play the Opposition, and the second clause centres or other means of recreation; and was warmly supported by the Leader of the second, which was the more important the Opposition. He hoped the right of the two, enabled the central education hon. Gentleman would be ready to authority to compel local education extend his support to it upon the authorities to provide for the medical present occasion. The right hon. inspection of children attending elemen- Member for South Dublin had argued tary schools. He did not think he that because the Government were needed to labour the point any further. introducing a Bill dealing with the It had been made clear to the House subject they ought not to support a how necessary some provision of the private Member's measure. kind contained in these two clauses was in the interests of the children. He might point out that the Bill as at present drafted did not apply to Scotland. The reason for that was that he had slavishly followed the Bill of last year, but if it was deemed advisable later on to extend it to Scotland nobody would be more pleased than himself. As hon. Members were aware, there was a process known to the House as "the massacre of the innocents," and although he was aware that the Government had promised a Bill dealing with the subject, he had introduced this measure lest, at a later stage of the session, pressure of other business compelled the Government to throw over their own Bill. He hoped the House would make sure that these two provisions were passed into law this session. MR. PARKER (Halifax) seconded, and said that he hoped hon. Members on the Opposition side would not now go back upon their word by opposing this measure. He appealed to the House to allow it to pass the Second Reading. MR. A. J. BALFOUR: Has the Government nothing to say upon this measure? THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Mr. LOUGH, Islington, W.) said there were very excellent reasons why the Bill should receive the benevolent support Mr. W. R. Rea. MR. WALTER LONG: That was not my argument, and I did not suggest anything of the kind. MR. A. J. BALFOUR said he did not. mean to resist the Second Reading. He supported the provisions of the Bill last year, and would do so again. He ought, however, to throw out the warning that under the Bill a burden would be thrown on the rates, and the suggestion that the Government should provide for that in their Own measure. He hoped the Government Bill would show that the enormous burden already thrown by primary education upon the ratepayers of the country would not be augmented by a measure whose general provisions they all desired to see carried. SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston) hoped the Government, when they brought in their measure, would meet the point raised by the Leader of the Opposition and so take away any excuse for delaying the progress of clauses so generally desired by the House. In the last Parliament when | Bill of last year was so bad that to pass they were discussing the physical de- two clauses because they were the best terioration of the race the desire was it contained was not a good argument at expressed on all sides that something of all. Everybody agreed that it was the kind now proposed should be done. advisable to have medical inspection of He hoped, therefore, that the House the children in the schools. There was no would agree to the Second Reading. doubt that infection was spread because the children were not medically examined, and with that part of the Bill he entirely agreed. In the previous debate it was said that the Bill would provide medical inspection before food was given, but he did not see anything in the Bill to provide for that. The clauses were so badly drafted that it was difficult to see what they did mean. [Cries of "Divide,divide."] He was surprised at the impatience of hon. Members who, after a SIR F. BANBURY said the hon. Member for West Islington who had spoken on behalf of the Govern ment had informed the House that as his hon. friend had secured an excellent place in the ballot, the Government were bound to support him. MR. LOUGH: No, no. DR. MACNAMARA: We are support- twenty minutes discussion, were crying ing him. SIR F. BANBURY said that the hon. Member for West Islington had stated the Government were going to introduce a Bill of a similar character. That was exactly why he objected to their supporting a private Member's Bill. DR. MACNAMARA: Why? SIR F. BANBURY: Because if the Government had a measure to deal with the subject they ought to bring it in themselves. The Government had no right to avail themselves of the fortunes of the ballot, and thus have two horses. ["Why?"] It was impossible to consider a private Bill fully, because the Closure was allowed after a very short discussion. The Government by adopting private Members' Bills avoided going through all the details as they would have to do in connection with Government Bill, and used that advantage to pass a measure into law without its having been properly discussed. Private Bills were now discussed on Fridays, and many hon. Members took advantage of that fact and stayed away. ["No." The consequence was that many hon. Members knew nothing about the Second Reading a discussions on those Bills. The hon. Member who introduced this Bill said the two clauses contained in it were the best clauses contained in the Educa tion Bill of last year. He quite agreed with that argument, but he could not admit that that was any good reason for passing the Bill. The Education "Divide, divide." Things were coming to a pretty pass when they expected to pass Bills of this kind practically undiscussed, because they happened to be approved of by a section of the House sitting below the gangway. ["It is approved by the whole House."] The Members of the Labour Party were not authorised to speak for the whole House, and they would learn better manners when they had been in Parliament a little longer. Perhaps they would not be there as long as they thought they would. [A LABOUR MEMBER: We shall be here as long as you.] He objected to the Government's availing themselves of private Member's Bills improperly discussed, and reserved to himself the right, at a later stage, to move the rejection of one of the clauses in the Bill to which he took exception. NEW BILLS. PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICERS. Bill to amend the Law relating to the qualification and tenure of office of Medical Officers of Health and Sanitary Inspectors; and for other purposes, ordered to be brought in by Sir Walter Foster, Sir Francis S. Powell, Sir John fuke, and Mr. Rainy. the very first opportunity of embracing one more. The practice on the part of the Government of picking the brains of private Members was rapidly becoming a scandal. So far as this particular Bill was concerned it might have elements of good in it, but it ought at any rate to be explained to the House. The hon. Member who introduced the Bill had treated the House with absolute contempt, for he did not attempt in the briefest possible way to explain its provisions. Instead of doing that he PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICERS BILL. relied on the big battalions behind him and the Government Whips. It was qualification and "To amend the Law relating to the tenure of office of absurd to charge them with obstructing Medical Officers of Health and Sanitary useful legislation when they were only Inspectors; and for other purposes, demanding a clear exposition of the presented, and read a first time; to be main principles of the Bill. They read a second time upon Monday next, had so many private Member's Bills and to be printed. [Bill 85.] before them that it was impossible for any private Member to grasp their principles without some explanation. He was not going to enter upon a detailed criticism of the Bill, but he hoped that in future any hon. Member taking upon himself himself he responsibility of introducing such a measure would treat the House fairly, and explain its provisions. [An HON. MEMBER: That was done last year.] year.] Surely the hon. Member did not consider that that was any excuse for no explanation being offered this year. If the Bill had been introduced under the ten minutes rule the hon. Member would have had an opportunity of explaining its provisions to the House. Mr. W. R. REA rose in his place and claimed to move, "That the Question be now put." HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES ACTS AMENDMENT. Bill to amend the Housing of the Working Classes Acts, and otherwise to facilitate the building of houses for the working classes in rural districts, ordered to be brought in by Sir Walter Foster, Sir Francis Channing, Mr. Soames, Mr. Eve, Mr. Hart-Davies, and Mr. Nicholls. HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES 'ACTS AMENDMENT BILL. "To amend the Housing of the Working Classes Acts, and otherwise to facilitate the building of houses for the working classes in rural districts," presented, and read the first time; to be read a second time upon Monday next, and to be printed. [Bill 86.] Question put accordingly, and agreed to. SELECTION (STANDING COMMITTEES). Bill read a second time. Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be committed to the Standing Committee on Law, etc."-(Mr. Walter Rea.) Debate arising. And, it being after Five of the clock, and objection being taken to further proceeding, the debate stood adjourned. Debate to be resumed upon Monday next. Sir WILLIAM BRAMPTON GURDON reported from the Committee of Selection; That they had discharged the following Member from the Standing Committee on Law: Sir Lewis M'Iver; and had appointed in substitution: Mr. MacIver. Report to lie upon the Table. Whereupon Mr. Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to Standing Order No. 3. Adjourned at three minutes after An Asterisk (*) at the commencement of a Speech indicates revision by the Member. HOUSE OF LORDS. Monday, 4th March, 1907. PRIVATE BILL BUSINESS. Galwey's Divorce Bill [H.L.].-Order of the Day for the Second Reading read: Counsel called in: Witnesses examined. Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a. The same was agreed to. Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House To-morrow. Fitzgerald's Divorce Bill [H.L.].-Order of the Day for the Second Reading read: Counsel called in: Witnesses examined. Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a. The same was agreed to. Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House To-morrow. The LORD CHANCELLOR acquainted the House; That the Clerk of the Parliaments had laid upon the Table the Certificates from the Examiners that the Standing Orders applicable to the following Bills have been complied with: Buckhaven Dock; Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, and Thornaby Tramways. Also the Certificates that the Standing Orders applicable to the following Bill have not been complied with: SimonCarves Bye-Product Coke Oven Construction and Working Company, Limited (Petition for Bill). And also the Certificates that the further Standing Orders applicable to the following Bill have been complied with: South Lincolnshire Water [H.L.]. MANCHESTER SHIP CANAL (BRIDGE- The CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES informed the House that the opposition to the Bill was withdrawn. The orders made on Wednesday and Thursday last discharged, and Bill committed. ROYAL INSURANCE COMPANY BILL [H.L.] The CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES informed the House that the opposition to the Bill was withdrawn. The order made on Wednesday last discharged, and Bill committed. Colne Valley Water Bill [H.L.]; Portishead District Water Bill [H.L.J.-Read 2a, and committed. The Committees to be proposed by the Committee of Selec tion. Great Yarmouth Waterworks and Lowestoft Water and Gas Bill [H.L.).— Read 2a, and committed. The Committee to be proposed by the Committee of Selection. National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty Bill [H.L.].— YORK AND DISTRICT TRAMWAYS The CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES informed the House that the Promoters do not intend to proceed further with the Bill. The order of Thursday last, discharged. Ordered, that the Bill be not further proceeded with. Manchester Ship Canal (Various Powers Bill [H.L.]; Devonport Corporation Bill [H.L.]; Humber Conservancy Bill [H.L.] ; Middlesbrough Corporation Bill [H.L.]; Oxford and District Tramways Bill [H.L.]. -Report from the Committee of Selection; The same were ordered to lie on the That the Lord Leith of Fyvie be proposed to the House as a member of the Select Committee on the said Bills in the place of the Lord Hylton, and that the Lord Leith of Fyvie be Chairman of the said Committee; read, and agreed to. Table. Barnsley, Wombwell, and Wath Tramways Bill [H.L.].-Presented, and read la. MEDWAY LOWER NAVIGATION The CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES informed the House that the opposition to the Bill was withdrawn. The orders made on Wednesday and Thursday last discharged and Bill committed. VOL. CLXX. [FOURTH SERIES.] RETURNS, REPORTS, ETC. EDUCATION (SCOTLAND). Return showing the expenditure from the grant for public education in Scotland in the year 1906, with Statistics. Q |