§ MR. W. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether it is intended that a grant of £150,000 shall be provided in this year's Estimates to build a Science and Art Department in Dublin; and (2) whether it is intended that the Department shall be in connect ion with the foundation of technical education in Ireland?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Report of the Departmental Committee which inquired last year into the question of providing new buildings for the Royal College of Science in Dublin is still under the consideration of the Science and Art Department. It may be presumed that any building scheme which may be adopted will involve as a preliminary the acquisition of compulsory powers of purchase; and consequently there is no present necessity for any financial provision to be made. I understand that the Question referred to in the last paragraph is also receiving the attention of the Committee of Council.
§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the site of a Science and Art Department, in Dublin has been received, and, if so, will he state its purport; and whether the Department is to be placed under Irish control and in connection with technical education?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (Sir J. E. GORST,) Cambridge UniversityThe Report relating to the Royal College of Science in Dublin has been received, and is under the consideration of the Committee of Council. I cannot yet state whether it will be laid before Parliament. The Committee of Council have no information as to any intended Departmental changes.
§ SIR J. GORSTI have said we have no information on that point, and it is not for us to suggest it.
§ [No Reply.]