MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will cause the principles of agriculture to be placed on the same footing as other 1126 science subjects in Irish National Schools in which classes are taught in connection with the Science and Art Department?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Commissioners of National Education report that the existing system in no respect whatever interferes with the giving of efficient agricultural instruction to pupils of national schools. It has been adopted as the only effectual means of preventing duplicate payments for agriculture. It was fully considered at the time, as pointed out in reply to a question put by the hon. Member on June 3, 1889, and the Commissioners are clearly of opinion that no alteration should be made.