§ MR. SEXTONasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether any arrangement has been concluded between the Department of Science and Art, South Kensington, and the Board of National Education in Ireland, to ensure to the Irish science teachers payment on the results of the May examinations at an earlier period than heretofore; whether the Department will endeavour to make such payments before the new classes are formed in the beginning of October; whether it is still considered 59 necessary that claims from schools not in connection with the Commissioners of National Education should be referred to their Board for the purpose of being supervised by the Board's inspector before payment can be made by the Department; and, whether the delay in paying the Irish claims has not been due principally to the time occupied by the Returns passing through the hands of the Marlborough Street officials?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThe arrangement which I promised the hon. Member last year has already been made, and we hope to make all payments duly claimed before the end of September. No claims from any schools will in future be sent to the National Board. But in cases of doubt, where Returns are inaccurately filled up, we shall avail ourselves of the assistance of the Board. The delay in the past has been largely due to the complex arrangement which has now been superseded, and to the late date at which the schools sent in their claims, and too often to their inaccuracy when they are filled up. I hope we shall secure much greater accuracy and despatch in the future.