§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that, for several years past, the Results Examinations have not been held in the month of March, while the Results year ends in February; whether the payment of the Results' fees has often been delayed until June; and, whether there would be any difficulty in having the Results' fees paid within a fortnight or three weeks after the Examination?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I am informed that the general rule of 454 the Education Office is that the results fees should be paid in the month following that in which the Examination is held. In exceptional cases unavoidable delays occasionally arise. The Commissioners state that, having regard to the engagements and duties of their Inspectors, it is not in their power to undertake to do more than to carry out the general rule I have mentioned. The number of Results Examinations held in March has been largely in excess of the average number for the other months of the year.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORWould it be possible for the Commissioners of Education to distribute the delay more equally over different parts of Ireland, so that our unfortunate county will not be put to this inconvenience year by year?
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYI will lay the suggestion before the Commissioners, and see what they say.