§ MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether it is still his intention to bring in a Bill to provide for the endowment of a Veterinary College in Dublin out of the funds of the Intermediate Education Board in Ireland; whether he is aware that the numbers entering this year show an increase of 700 over last year, and are now nearly 10,000, or double the number they were in 1891; and whether, under 275 these circumstances, he will reconsider the proposal to deprive the boys and girls of Ireland of funds essential to their education?
THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. JOHN MORLEY,) New-castle-upon-TyneAs already stated in reply to similar questions, it is the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill to make certain provisions in connection with the proposed Veterinary College for Ireland, an institution which, in the opinion of the Government, will be of considerable educational advantage. The provision will be not for the endowment of the College, as is suggested in the question or the hon. Member; but merely a grant of a lump sum in aid towards the acquisition of buildings and fittings. The grant will not reduce the annual sum paid to the Intermediate Education Board as their share of the Local Taxation Duties, but will be withdrawn from an accumulation in their hands in respect of their share in these Duties not expended by them in former years.