• The debate was resumed on Wednesday. Mr. Dillon disso-
ciated the policy of his party from that of the Duke of Norfolk and the twenty-eight Peers who voted with him. While the Duke's party was irreconcilable and contemplated breaches of the law, the Nationalists desired a concordat with the English democracy. He held, however, that if the Bill were lost the Radical Party would suffer injury from being identified with secularism and the exclusion of the Bible from the schools. In the course of the debate Mr. Keir Hardie stated- that working- class parents regarded the question of religious instruction in the schools with complete indifference, and Mr. Walter Long complained that no really definite information bad been given as to the concessions which the Government would make. Mr. Myren again assured - the Opposition that the Govern- ment had no desire to be offensive to the Lords. In con- clusion, he believed the Bill could still be saved by mutual concessions affecting Clause IV. and the position of teachers under Clause III. Mr. Balfour, replying for the Opposition, said that if the measure were lost the responsibility would not rest with the Lords. Mr. Asquith having retorted that the responsibility would be with Mr. Balfour, the House divided, and the Motion for disagreeing with the Lords' amendments en, bloc was carried by 309 votes (416 to.107).
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