HC Deb 17 August 1883 vol 283 cc954-5
MR. BIGGAR

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, in view of the difficulty of the teachers of National Schools in Ireland, especially in poor rural districts, in raising the amount of local aid required to secure the second moiety of Results Pees, the Government will consent to pay both moieties of Results Pees unconditionally till the case of the teachers be finally settled?

MR. TREVELYAN

This is a matter for the consideration of the Treasury rather than of the Irish Government. It is a proposal which I think it is extremely unlikely their Lordships would entertain, and I cannot undertake to press it upon them.

MR. BIGGAR

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, as a comparison is made in official Blue Books of the percentages of passes in reading, writing, and arithmetic in the National Schools in England, Ireland, and Scotland, would the teachers of Ireland be allowed the same facilities for carrying on their work, by the use of the best text books on the respective subjects, the same as are allowed to the teachers of England and Scotland, provided these books do not contain anything objectionable either in a sectarian or political point of view?

MR. TREVELYAN

This Question is asked in the interests of education, and the course which the hon. Member indicates as desirable appears to be that adopted by the Commissioners of National Education. They do not insist upon the use of the books mentioned in their official list; but they require that the titles of any others proposed to be used shall be submitted to them for approval. They never refuse to sanction the use of unobjectionable books; but they always prohibit the use of books specially prepared for cramming purposes.

MR. CALLAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the National Board have prohibited the use of the Christian Brothers' geography?

MR. TREVELYAN

I must ask the hon. Member to give Notice of that Question.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

Is it not a fact that the supply of books to the National Schools is practically a monopoly, and that facilities are only given to a certain set of books, while obstructions are placed in the way of others; and is it not a fact that competent educational authorities have pronounced many of the works favoured to be the most valueless text-books that ever were printed?

[No reply was given.]