MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY (Londonderry City)asked the Secretary to the Treasury. Whether, as stated in the Thirty-Fourth Report of the Department of Science and Art, page xli., the duties of the Lady Inspector of Lace-making in Ireland are confined to—
Affording advice to the convents in Ireland upon the commercial necessities of trade in lace, as well as upon the variations of fashion and the adoption of good work materials;whether the appointment was created at the suggestion of the Lord Lieutenant to supplement and not to supersede the lectures on designing given by Mr. Alan Cole; and, whether, in view of the requests for Mr. Cole to resume his lectures, as well as of the fresh applications which have been made for his services, arrangements may be made for Mr. Cole to lecture at the lacemaking centres in Ireland not less frequently than twice a-year?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)When the appointment was first made of the Lady Inspector it was intended that she should visit the schools where lacemaking is taught, inspect the quality of the work, advise as to the best designs and patterns, and as to the relative commercial values of the work turned out. It is not easy to draw a line between her functions and the lectures given by Mr. Alan Cole; but I may say that arrangements have been made, subject to a limit of expense, which will prevent the entire discontinuance of Mr. Cole's lectures.