The Commons accepted on Thursday the Lords' amend- ment to
the Free Education Bill which struck out the word " suitable " from the proviso that in case the Education Department is asked to allow a charge of fees, or an increase of fees, in any elementary school, they may do so only in case they are satisfied that "sufficient and suitable" accommodr- tion without fees has been already provided. The Opposition leaders, who had apparently intended to make the word " suitable " exclude Church schools, were very angry with this change ; but it was carried against them by 110 to 86. A subsequent Lords' amendment on the clause empowering the Department to group the schools, led to an adjournment, as the objection was taken that it might involve an educational expenditure higher than any for which the House of Commons had provided.
