MR. SULLIVANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is true that important changes are about 951 to be made in the office staff of the Irish Education Board; if one of the secretaries is to be abolished; and, if so, which one; if the office of accountant is to be abolished; and, if so, how are its duties to be henceforth provided for; and, whether a communication from the Treasury in reference to these or other changes was addressed to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on or about the 15th of April last; and, if so, whether there is any objection to laying a Copy of that communication on the Table of the House?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH,in reply, said, that owing to circumstances which indicated the existence of grave defects in the management of the details of financial administration under the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland, the Treasury had, in the Spring of this year, suggested certain alterations in the office Staff of the Commissioners. Those suggestions had been forwarded to the Board of Education for their consideration. As they were still under the consideration of the Board it was not desirable for any correspondence to be produced at present, or for any further statement to be made concerning them; but he might mention that they did not include the abolition of the office of one of the secretaries.