§ COLONEL SAUNDERSON (Armagh, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the great dissatisfaction existing amongst the Protestant population in Ireland in consequence of the acceptance by the Government of the Bill of the hon. Member for Louth, affecting existing Educational Endowments; and, what course the Government propose to take regarding the Bill?
§ MR. E. CARSON (Dublin University)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the Resolution passed by the Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of Ireland, deprecating the changes proposed in the law regulating the Educational Endowment Commission; and, what steps the Government propose to take in relation to such proposed changes?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am aware that much dissatisfaction has been excited among Protestants in Ireland in connection with the Bill of the hon. Member for North Louth—a feeling which I cannot help thinking is, for the most part, due to a misconception of the views of the Government upon the subject. While not opposing the Second 1131 Reading of the Bill, I indicated that it could not be allowed to pass without extensive alterations. The question whether it is possible to effect the changes which we consider necessary by means of Amendments to the Bill appears doubtful, and is now under consideration. Under these circumstances, perhaps, my hon. and gallant Friend will postpone the last part of his question, relating to the course the Government propose to take, for a few days.