§ MR. SEXTONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how far arrangements have been made for bringing into operation, on and after the 1st proximo, the compulsory attendance provisions of the Irish Education Act of 1892; in how many and what places the Local Authorities have declined to co-operate in executing the Act, or have so far omitted to adopt the needful preliminary measures, and what cause is assigned for such refusal or omission; whether, in these cases, Attendance Committees have been appointed, and how it is proposed to appoint attendance officers, and to provide for the expenses of the Act; and whether the Board of Education see any prospect of making the Act effectual for its purpose on the basis of their Rules as now existing?
§ MR. BRYCE (for Mr. J. MORLEY)In 46 municipal boroughs, towns, or townships under Commissioners the Local Authorities have already adopted Regulations as to the time and mode of appointment of the School Attendance Committees and the conduct of their proceedings, and have also appointed in each of those cases the one-half of the Committee. The Commissioners of National Education have approved of the Regulations so adopted. In 19 additional cases the Local Authorities have submitted Regulations, which the Commissioners have approved in seven instances, and in the remaining 12 correspondence with the Local Authorities is proceeding in regard to them. In 33 cases the Regulations have not yet been submitted, although repeatedly called for; but the Local Authorities have signified their willingness to comply with the requirements of the Act, and in 27 of the cases have informally appointed the one-half of the Committee. Adding together the totals, there are 98 municipal boroughs, towns, and townships under Commissioners that may be regarded as morally certain to be in readiness on the 1st proximo for bringing into operation the compulsory attendance provisions of the Act. Nothing certain can be stated regarding the remaining 20 cases, the circumstances being as follows:—Four await the proposals of the Government in respect to the Christian Brothers' schools —namely, Cork, Limerick, Wexford, and Youghal; six state they will not comply, as the Christian Brothers' schools are excluded from the benefit of the Act—namely, Carlow, Dundalk, Lismore, Monaghan, Mullingar, and Tuam; three state they cannot enforce the Act, as there is no school in the town for Roman Catholic boys except the Christian Brothers' schools—namely, Midleton, Nenagh, and Westport; three state they have no funds applicable for expenses of committees—namely, Castlebar, Ballina, and Bally bay; but a Bill is being prepared by the Government to enable them to levy a tax for the purpose; three have come to no decision, the question being still under the consideration of the Local Authorities—namely, Athy, Bandon, and Newbridge; one—namely, Drogheda, has not yet replied to any of the 10 communications addressed by the Commissioners of National Education on the 370 subject. In the cases in which the Local Authorities have declined to comply, or have omitted to adopt the needful preliminary measures, no steps have yet been taken to appoint Attendance Committees, as it would be premature to do so. The question of appointing attendance officers and of providing for the expenses of the Act will not arise in such cases until after the 31st instant. In the cases where the Local Authorities have thus, so far, declined or neglected to co-operate, the Commissioners of National Education cannot at present definitely say whether the working of the Act on the basis of the existing Rules will prove effectual.
§ MR. SEXTONI am instructed to give a notice on this urgent and important question. It is that, as the Government have notified their intention to introduce a Bill to amend the Irish Education Act of 1892, and as the declarations of the Irish Members in connection with that Act have been disregarded and the understanding with them, by which they allowed the Act to pass, has not been observed, unless and until arrangements are made by which efficient elementary schools in Ireland, which are willing to accept the Conscience Clause and to satisfy the State as to the character of their secular education, are admitted to a fair proportion of State aid, no further legislation on the subject will be treated as non-contentious by the Irish Members.