HC Deb 10 August 1894 vol 28 cc567-8
MR. SEXTON

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the fact, already brought to his notice, that some 70 children at Cam, County Derry, are being educated in a small insanitary room, condemned by the Inspectors of the National Education Board, whilst a suitable building close by remains unused, owing to a dispute on a point of form between the local manager and the National Board, what is to be done in order to secure a reasonable arrangement?

MR. J. MORLEY

I have communicated with the Board of National Education in reference to this question, and learn that there has been no change in the state of affairs since I replied to my hon. Friend's previous question of the 14th June on the subject. In that reply I stated that there were other schools in the locality, but that being under Protestant management they were objected to by the Roman Catholic clergyman, Mr. Loughrey. The Commissioners inform me that within a mile of the insanitary room referred to in the question there is an excellent national school house, the manager of which, Captain Ogilby, is a Protestant, though the teacher is a Roman Catholic. The Rev. Mr. Loughrey, however, preferred to establish a school of his own, and hence the withdrawal of the Roman Catholic children from Captain Ogilby's school and the establishment of the Cam School. So far back as the autumn of 1892 the Head Inspector of the National Board was instructed to investigate all the circumstances connected with the educational troubles of the locality, and in a Report made by him in September of that year he stated that Captain Ogilby had authorised him to inform the rev. gentleman that he was prepared to appoint him manager unconditionally, but that the rev. Mr. Loughrey declined to accept the appointment.

MR. SEXTON

It is admitted that 70 children are being educated in an insanitary room, and that there is a suitable building close by. Is there no power within the resources of the British Constitution to remove the children to a proper building?

MR. J. MORLEY

I will press the matter on the attention not of the custodian of the Constitution, but on the National Board, and will ascertain whether anything further can be done.

MR. SEXTON

I shall raise the question on a future occasion.