MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick's)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the papers set for the annual examinations held under the Intermediate Education Act are printed out of Ireland; and, if so, what is the reason assigned therefor; whether, if this is done to guard against any irregularity or possibility of disclosure, is he aware that the examination papers for Dublin University, the Royal University of Ireland, the Queen's Colleges, the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, and for all the Teaching and Examining Bodies in Ireland, are executed in that country with absolute secrecy and satisfaction; and whether he, therefore, will represent to the Intermediate Education Commissioners the desirability of 973 having the entire printing for their Board executed in Ireland, and by firms observing the Fair Wages' Resolution of this House?
MR. J. MORLEYThe Assistant Commissioners of Intermediate Education report that the printing of their examination papers is not done in Ireland, and that it is a matter of extreme importance that the place where those papers are printed in each year should not be divulged. The papers of the Royal University of Ireland are printed in the Queen's Printing Office in Dublin, and the Dublin University papers are printed in the College itself. The attention of the Intermediate Education Commissioners has already been drawn to the terms of the Resolution of February 1891, and I am not aware that those rules have been infringed.
§ MR. W. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reason for having the papers printed out of Ireland is that certain schools were suspected of obtaining advance copies?
MR. J. MORLEYI dare say that has happened in England as well as in Ireland. If I had anything to do with the matter I should certainly direct that the printing be done in Ireland.