HC Deb 20 February 1880 vol 250 cc1107-8
MR. P. MARTIN

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If it is the fact that in the Galway Model Schools, Girls' Department, the amount expended by the Commissioners of National Education in preparing each child for the result examinations is eleven pounds seven shillings, and that the percentage of passes is forty-five, and of answering in obligatory subjects is seventy-six, and the number of teachers supplied to other schools, one; and that in the King's Inn Street Convent National Female Schools the amount of aid given by the Commissioners for the proportion of each child is in or about eleven shillings only, the percentage of passes ninety-seven, and of answering in obligatory subjects ninety-six, and of teachers supplied to other schools twenty-two; and, whether, having regard to the great disparity in the amounts thus expended by the Commissioners in preparing each child, any steps have been taken or suggestions made by the Commissioners with the object of increasing the payment to schools which exhibit such favourable educational results as the King's Inn Street Schools; and, if not, can he state the reasons for the continuance by the Commissioners in their application of State funds in a manner so disproportionate to the work done?

MR. J. LOWTHER

Sir, I fear it is impossible, within the limited space generally allowed to answers to Questions in this House, to go into details on this somewhat large topic; but from the information given me privately by the Commissioners of National Education, it appears that the hon. Gentleman has not been accurately informed. For instance, I am told that the cost of preparing each child for the result examinations at the Galway Model Schools, instead of being £11 7s.,is only £7 2s.2d.,and that the percentage of passes is 75 instead of 45, and that of answering in obligatory subjects is 80 instead of 76. In the same way, I am informed that at the King's Inn Street School the amount of aid given for the proportion of each child by the Commissioners is not 11s.,but £1 3s.3d.As to the last portion of the Question, communications have passed with the Commissioners; but I hope to be in a position to give the hon. Gentleman full information when the Estimates are brought on.

MR. P. MARTIN

I should like to be informed what authority the right hon. Gentleman has for representing the facts as he has done?

MR. J. LOWTHER

From no information, but from facts supplied to me.

MR. P. MARTIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay a copy of the statement on the Table of the House?

MR. J. LOWTHER

At present it is a private statement, and I do not know how far I might be justified in laying it on the Table.