HC Deb 19 June 1896 vol 41 cc1442-3
MR. KNOX

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Lord Justice Fitzgibbon has resigned his post as a Commissioner of National Education; and whether he can say what is the cause of his resignation?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

said it was a fact that Lord Justice Fitzgibbon had resigned his post as a Commissioner of National Education in consideration that he no longer felt equal to the additional duties which the position of Commissioner threw upon him.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

asked whether the resignation of Lord Justice Fitzgibbon was not due to the action of the Government with regard to the Education Grant in Ireland?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

said he had no reason to believe there was any truth in that statement.

MR. MACNEILL

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman had seen a statement to that effect?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

said he had not seen such a statement, but the hon. Member had called his attention to it. He had no reason to think, however, that there was any truth in it.