§ MR.JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that the 1547 General Synod of the Church of Ireland has protested against the Revised Draft Scheme for the Ulster Royal School endowments, on the ground "that it gives the Roman Catholic Church a share of the endowments which the statistics of intermediate education prove to be excessive; that it assigns to the Church of Ireland a wholly inadequate representation on the proposed Local Boards, which will deal with Protestant endowments," and for other reasons: And, whether care will be taken that no scheme will be sanctioned that deprives the Protestants of Ulster of their existing rights and privileges?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I understand that the General Synod has passed certain Resolutions, including those quoted in the Question, and has submitted them, through a deputation, to the Educational Endowments Commission. The Draft Scheme for the future administration of the Ulster Royal School Endowments is still under the consideration of the Commissioners, who have announced their intention of appointing a public sitting for its discussion as soon as the time for sending in objections has expired, and, if possible, before the end of this month. When the Scheme is submitted to the Lord Lieutenant in Council it will be open to discussion upon the subject by any party interested, and afterwards either House of Parliament can express its opinion upon it, if the scheme should fail to provide justly for any existing rights or privileges. Of course the desire of the Government is that full justice should be done to all parties in the matter.
§ MR. CLANCYDoes not the Commission to which the right hon. Gentleman refers consist of a majority of Protestants?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI cannot answer that question.