HC Deb 15 March 1897 vol 47 cc666-7
MR. J. P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, will he explain on what basis of calculation a sum equal to only 2½ per cent. of the gross amount is voted for Science and Art Education in Ireland, and how many centres of examination are there at present in Ireland; and whether it is proposed to extend the operations of the Department in Ireland by a more liberal treatment in the matter of money grants?

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Sir JOHN GORST,) Cambridge University

The amount voted for Science and Art Education in Ireland is 5 per cent., and not 2½ per cent. of the gross amount. It is calculated on the same basis as in Great Britain, viz., the number of students who attend the science and art schools and classes. There are 150 centres of examination in Ireland. There is a special grant of £3,500 for technical instruction in Ireland. Otherwise, Ireland is treated in the same manner as the rest of the United Kingdom.

MR. G. MURNAGHAN (Tyrone, Mid)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, will he state how much of last year's grant to the Science and Art Department was paid respectively to England, to Scotland, and to Ireland?

SIR J. GORST

The amounts are as follows:—

England … … £611,913
Scotland … … 87,348
Ireland … … 46,109
Total … … £745,370