§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether, in view of the fact that the residue grants from the Beer and Spirit Duties, amounting to £740,000 a year, are available and largely appbed for the purposes of technical education by 845 local authorities in England and Wales, irrespective of whether these authorities levy rates for the purpose or not, the Department will consider the possibility of making such grants in aid of technical education in Ireland upon the same conditions, that is to say, whether the local authorities contribute or not, or whether it is their intention to continue the present arrangement?
§ SIR J. GORSTThe proportion of the residue grants from the beer and spirit duties which is due to Ireland is allocated to the Commissioners of National Education and to the Intermediate Education Board. There is, in addition, a special technical education grant made to Ireland by the Science and Art Department. The, Committee of Council do not intend to take the initiative in proposing any alteration of this arrangement.