§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if he has yet come to any decision affecting the Erasmus Smith Schools?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have not come to any final decision in connection with this matter. I am still of opinion that, the Judicial Commissioners having failed to agree upon a scheme, it would be desirable that the case of the Erasmus Smith Schools should be submitted to a fresh tribunal. There are, 881 however, difficulties in securing a satisfactory tribunal for the purpose, and, as the information in my possession is to the effect that any plan I might devise would meet with strenuous opposition in this House, I do not think it worth while to proceed further in the matter at present.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWill not the right hon. Gentleman submit the scheme, so that we may see the quarter from which the opposition comes? I am not myself aware of any opposition.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am aware of opposition; and I would remind the hon. Gentleman that he himself has said that there would be no use introducing the Bill if it were opposed.