§ MR. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state, as regards the 46 places in which the Irish Education Act of 1892 has been put into force by the appointment of school attendance officers, for the three months ending 31st March in the years 1892, 1893, and 1894, respectively, the number of children on the rolls, the number in average attendance, the percentage of average attendance; and the like information as regards the total of the other schools in Ireland during the same periods?
MR. J. MORLEYThe numbers for the 46 places are as follows:—The number of pupils on the rolls for the quarter ended March 31, 1892, was 87,311; for the quarter ended March 31, 1893, 93,846; for the quarter ended March 31, 1894, 97,932. The number of pupils in average daily attendance for the quarter ended March 31, 1892, was 51,515; for the quarter ended March 31, 1893, 59,014; for the quarter ended March 31, 1894, 65,376. The percentage of pupils in average daily attendance to the 1005 number of pupils on the rolls was for the quarter ended March 31, 1892, 59; for the quarter ended March 31, 1893, 62.9; for the quarter ended March 31, 1894, 66.8. The numbers for the remaining 72 places to which the Act applies, but in which up to March 31, 1894, school attendance officers had not been appointed, are as follows:—The number of pupils on the rolls for the quarter ended March 31, 1892, was 101,231; for the quarter ended March 31, 1893, 105,957; for the quarter ended March 31, 1894, 106,661. The number of pupils in average daily attendance for the quarter ended March 31, 1892, was 56,518; for the quarter ended March 31, 1893,65,491; for the quarter ended March 31, 1894, 64,919. The percentage of pupils in average daily attendance to the number of pupils on the rolls for the quarter ended March 31, 1892, was 55.8; for the quarter ended March 31, 1893, 61.8; for the quarter ended March 31, 1894, 60.9. The Commissioners of National Education are unable, in view of the great pressure of the business in their Department at present, to supply similar information as regards the total of the other schools in Ireland. Besides, the collection and preparation of information in such an extensive form would take much time and involve considerable expense, and, under these circumstances, perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will not press for the information indicated in the conclusion of the question.
§ MR. JACKSONI should like to explain that my object is to ascertain whether, where the Act has been put into operation, there has been an improvement in the attendance at the schools as compared with the general condition of Ireland. I will put down another question the object of which will be to ascertain the average percentage of attendance in all schools in Ireland.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLIn how many places is the Act not operative? Does the right hon. Gentleman intend this Session to introduce a Bill dealing with the subject?
MR. J. MORLEYThe Act affects 118 places, and it has been put in force in 46. I have a Bill ready, and on Thursday I propose to ask for leave to introduce it.