§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Beutenant of Ireland (1) what are the terms of reference to the Committee charged by the Education Board with the duty of inquiring into the Irish Model Schools; (2) does the inquiry cover the case of Marlborough Street Model School, which is under the Board itself, and, if so, why do the Board require a Report on the condition of an institution of which they themselves are managers; (3) does the inquiry 841 cover the question of the cost of education in Model Schools, which is stilted in the Report for 1895 to he £4 a head, as against £1 16s. in Convent schools, and. if not, will this subject be also examined into; (4) will the Government abstain from asking the House for the grant for model schools until the result of the inquiry has been reported; and (5) will the Report and the Evidence be laid before Parliament?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds Central)The terms of reference are, "That a Committee of the whole Board he appointed to Report to the Board on the condition of the model schools." The answer to the second and third paragraphs is in the affirmative. The Marlborough Street Model School is not more under the Board than any other model school. I cannot give a reply to the fourth and fifth paragraphs until I know when the inquiry is likely to conclude, and until I see the Report?
§ MR. T. M. HEALYAs the evidence is being taken down in shorthand, will it be available?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have no information, but I will inquire.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYShall we have an opportunity of seeing the Report, and, if possible, the evidence?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI should not like to promise that without communicating with the Commissioners.