HC Deb 24 May 1897 vol 49 cc1134-5
MR. J. L. CAREW (Dublin, College Green)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) is he aware that in Ireland the sanitary authority has no power to have schools closed for the protection, of public health in the case of epidemics breaking out, while in England the sanitary authority has such power conferred upon it; and (2) will the Government extend the same salutary protective power to Ireland?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, Central

The facts, I believe, are correctly stated in the first paragraph, though in England the managers of a school may appeal to the Education Department if they consider the notice requiring the school to be closed unreasonable. I should not like to answer the second paragraph without having an opportunity of consulting the Commissioners of National Education and taking their views.