§ MR. CONWAYI beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether the Science and Art Department has fully considered the effect that portion of Regulation 12, printed in italics, page 56, of the Science and Art Directory for 1889–90 is likely to have in Ireland, where so few boys can remain at the National Schools until they have passed the second stage of the sixth class; whether the rule up to the present has been for pupils to have passed the second stage of the fifth class before presentation for examination in the principles of agriculture; and, whether the Science and Art Department will re-consider the part of Rule 12, which is specified in the first paragraph, and let the House know the result of such consideration before the Science and Art Vote comes on for discussion?
§ SIR W. HART DYKEThe rule was modified in the form suggested by the National Board of Education in Ireland in order to meet the objection made by the Comptroller and Auditor General to the duplication of payments in respect of certain children examined in agriculture. I do not think the change will have any ill effect, as the National Board have stated their opinion that the course of instruction in agriculture prescribed in their programme is suitable and sufficient for the pupils of national schools, and the alteration will only affect these pupils.