The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-01 00:00:00

THE METRIC SYSTEM.

Sir CHARLES ADDERLEY asked the Postmaster-
General, whether the difference between the complicated
English weights and measures and the simple metric
system now being introduced all over Europe had not
occasioned, in the French Postal Treaty, our being
obliged to carry a third of an ounce weight as an
equivalent for a ten gramme weight, which
was one-sixth less ; and whether he was prepared
to remedy this inequality by the use of corresponding
weights, by which step he would be also setting an exam-
ple on the part of the Government of the adoption of the
more general system.

The Marquis of HARTINGTON did not think any practi-
cal inconvenience would result from the course adopted.

EDUCATION IN SCOTLAND.

Dr. LYON PLAYFAIR asked the Lord Advocate whether
the Government intended to reintroduce during the pre-
sent session the bill which passed through the House last
session, to extend and improve the parochial schools of
Scotland, and to make further provision for the education
of the people of Scotland ; and, if not, whether the Go-
vernment were prepared to introduce during the session
any other measures dealing with the whole subject of ele-
mentary education in Scotland, and including the land-
ward districts as well as the towns.
Mr. GLADSTONE said it was the desire of the Govern-
ment to make progress with education in Scotland as
well as England, and from certain signs it appeared a very
favourable opportunity for doing so, but with regard to
the best means possible of doing so, he was afraid he could
not give any very positive answer ; but in the course of a
few weeks they would have made progress with the bill for
England, and then the Government would state what was
their intention with regard to Scotland. If they did not suc-
ceed in completing measures for Scotland it would not
through the want of the desire to do so. ;I
BANKRUPTCY IN IRELAND.

Mr. KEOWN asked the Solicitor-General for Ireland if it
was the intention of the Government to bring in a bill
this session to assimilate the Bankruptcy Law in Ireland
to that at present in force in England.

Mr. C. FORTESCUE said he was not prepared to give
a positive answer on the subject. The Irish Solicitor-
General would be in his place to-morrow evening.

THE BRIDGWATER INQUIRY.

Mr. HEADLAM asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department whether he would state the reason
why, in the case of the Report of the Commissioners con-
cerning the borough of Bridgwater, the usual practice had
been departed from of giving references to the evidence in
the margin opposite to every important finding or allega-
tion ; and whether, if it was alleged that such omission
SUS accidental, he would take care that the omission was
rectified, Eo that persens implicated by the report, and
any person desirous of testing the truth of the allegations,
might be able to ascertain the evidence on which they are
mftde. And whether he would also state what was the
first report of the said commissioners, and why the salmi,
had not been laid before the House.

Mr. BRUCE said the question was one of convenience
and expense. He would inquire and see whether the
arrangement desired by the, right hon. gentleman could be
observed for the future. With respect to the final report
of the Commissioners, it would be laid before the House
33 sooa as possible.
THE INDIA BUDGET.

Sir S. NORTIICOTE asked the Under Secretary of State
for India whether there was any probability of his making
any statement with respect to the finances of India before
Easter; and if not, whethei he would have any objection
to lay upon the table the correspondence which heel taken

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER'S
OPINIONS.

Mr. SOMERSET DEAUMONT asked the First Lord of the
Treasury, whether the statement made by the Chancellor
of the Exchequer that he " was not in favour of treaties of
Commerce, and that he was not in favour of their negotia-
tion," had the apprcval of her Majesty's Government.
Mr. GLADSTONE said he felt some difficulty in answer-
ing the question, as it contained what he must call an ad-
verse proposition, but he might say he quite shared the
opinion of his right hon. friend. (Hear, hear.) The sen-
timent however, must not be looked upon as a cast iron
one, but used with flexibility. Having quoted the opinion
of Mr. Cobden, which was in accordance with that
of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. gen-
tleman said to-morrow he should lay on the table a copy
of the treaty with Austria, for which his right hon. friend
the Chancellor of the Exchequer .was as much responsible
as any other member of the Cabinet.
TIIE LICENSE LAWS.

Mr. DOWNING asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department whether he could name a day on which
the bill to amend the pro; mt system of granting licenses
for the sale of spirits and other intoxicating liquors will
be introduced, and whether it was intended that the bill
shall apply to Ireland ; if not, whether a separate bill
applicable to that country would be introduced, and

when ?

Air. Br.ucE said he had hoped on Friday next he
should have been enabled to ask the House for leave to
introduce a bill dealing with the subject of licensing ;
but he found there were still some unsettled points, and
therefore he was compelled to defer his intention until
Friday week. With respect to Ireland, he did not think
it would be convenient to deal with the Irish law in an
English bill. The Chief Secretary for Ireland had the
s abject under his consideration, with a view of seeing how
far the improvements to be made in the English law could
be made applicable to Ireland.
EDUCATION.

Mr. LEA asked the Vice-President of the Committee of
Council on Education if he purposed to adhere to the year
of waiting stated in the Elementary Education Dill, if it
could be shewn that the need of a school was urgent, and
its erection by voluntary effort practically impossible.

Mr. FORSTER said it was impossible to answer the
question, which seemed to be an inquiry whethe:
the Government would consent to a certain amendment
in the Edncation EU He would prefer the House
hearing the reasons of the Government for thcir proposi-
tion before he made any arrangements with respect to the
amendment.