§ MR. JORDAN (Clare, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If an industrial school was built, five years ago, at a cost of about £5,000, in Kilrush, county Clare; if it has yet been certified for a grant; if memorials have been presented to Chief Secretaries to the Lord Lieutenant from time to time during that period; if he will state the reasons for delay or refusal; and, if he will consider this important matter?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)It is true that a religious community 965 expended a large sum of money on a building at Kilrush as an industrial school. It appears that they did so without having received any encouragement from the Government, and without making any effort to ascertain what were their chances of obtaining a certificate under the Industrial Schools Act. There is already one certified industrial school for girls in the county of Clare; and having regard to the more pressing character of other claims, and to the recommendations of the recent Commission, none of my Predecessors appear to have seen their way to certify the school at Kilrush. The hon. Member is aware that it would be impossible for me to certify a school for which provision has not been made in the Vote passed by this House, even if there were not other difficulties in the way. All I can say, therefore, is that before next year's Estimates are framed this case shall be further considered.