§ MR. LOUGHI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the total increase in the Education Vote between 1889–90 and 1895–96 was about 80 per cent., and whether the increase in the amounts allotted to England and Scotland respectively were over 90 per cent., while the increase in the sum allotted to Ireland was only about 25 per cent.; and, under these circumstances, how he estimates that Ireland has latterly got more than her due proportion of public money for purposes of education?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.My statement, to which I think the hon. Member refers, was that "Ireland already received a larger proportion of the total cost of national education from the Exchequer than either England or Scotland," and the statement is undoubtedly correct. Taking the figures given in the last yearly reports of the three Education Departments for the year 1895 it will be seen that in England and Wales and in Scotland more than one-third of the" total school income "is supplied from sources other than moneys voted by Parliament, whereas in Ireland only between one-seventh and one-eighth is so supplied.
§ MR. LOUGHHas it not always been the ease that a much larger grant has been provided with regard to Ireland than the other two countries?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERYes, Sir; I believe that is the case. [Laughter.]