§ MR. LEWISasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any communications, in the nature of advice or instructions, has passed between the Lords of the Treasury and the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland, as to the future application of that portion of the Vote in Supply for National Education hitherto used in support of model schools, and suggesting less expenditure thereon in future, in order to have funds to carry out certain intended arrangements for separate denominational training of teachers; and, if so, whether he will lay upon the Table a Copy of any such communications?
§ MR. TREVELYANIt is the case, Sir, that the Treasury, in a letter to the Commissioners of National Education, threw out a suggestion that one source 954 of economy might be the gradual conversion of the model schools into national schools. The Commissioners, having considered this suggestion, passed a Resolution to the effect that, in their opinion, it would be highly injudicious to interfere with so important an element in the national system of education as the model schools, and that it would tend to embarrass the inauguration of the proposed training colleges.
§ MR. LEWISAm I to understand that the Government have an objection to lay on the Table a Copy of the communication?
§ MR. TREVELYANYes, Sir; I think it would be extremely inconvenient to lay on the Table Correspondence between the Treasury and other Public Departments.
§ MR. LEWISI beg to give Notice, in view of the widespread interest on this subject in Ireland, that I shall move for a Copy of this Correspondence.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORMay I ask whether the new training colleges will be treated like the Marlborough Street Schools?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe subsidy paid to training colleges in Ireland will be of precisely the same terms as the subsidy paid in England and Scotland. I believe the money will be paid out of this year's Votes.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORMy Question was not whether new training colleges would be treated like training colleges in England and Scotland; but whether they would be treated in the same way as the existing training colleges in Dublin?
§ MR. TREVELYANI think the hon. Gentleman had better ask the Question somewhat in detail. I do not know whether he refers to Lancaster Buildings.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORI will put the Question on the Paper.