§ MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, as the Government exercise a joint control over the administration of the Irish Education Act of 1892 through the Board of National Education, they will provide for one-half the cost of administering the Act from the Treasury?
MR.J.MORLEYSection 3 of the Irish Education Act, 1892, which places upon the Commissioners of National Education the on us of appointing one-half of each local school attendance committee, provides that the expenses of the committee and the salaries and expenses of their officers shall be defrayed out of local moneys. The Government do not propose to ask Parliament to amend this provision in the direct ion indicated by the hon. Member. I may point out to the hon. Member that the statement in the question that the Government exercise a joint control over the administration of the Irish Education Act through the Hoard of National Education is not. a very accurate description of the relations existing between the Irish Government and the Board.
§ MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)How many Local Authorities in Ireland have passed resolutions claiming that the Treasury should pay one-half of the cost of administering the Act? Is this state of mind on the part of the authorities re- 731 garded by the National Board as one of the obstacles to the working of the Act?
MR. J. MORLEYI cannot say how many Local Authorities have made representation, but no doubt considerably more than a score have done so. Of course, the Board of Education would be very glad to comply with the request if the Treasury will find the money.