HC Deb 29 April 1898 vol 56 cc1558-9
MR. FIELD

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Government intend to recast the existing system of primary technical and science and art education in Ireland; and whether it is intended to place them under Irish control under the system of connection and local control recently introduced with success in Scotland. I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the council of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce pointing out that no grant for the necessary equipment of the mechanical engineering class in the Science and Art Department, Dublin, has been provided; whether it will be included in this year's Estimate; and whether a temporary structure could be raised at small cost in the yard to enable the practical teaching of the students by the professors. I beg further to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the purport of the report of the Departmental Committee respecting the Science and Art Department in Dublin; whether the site of the new building has been determined, and when it will be commenced; and whether it will be in connection with the foundation of technical education in Ireland?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I must ask the honourable Member to address these Questions to my right honourable Friend the Vice-President of the Council on Education.

MR. FIELD

But the Vice-President asked me to address the Questions to the Chief Secretary.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Address them to them jointly.

MR. FIELD

Who is the proper responsible official from whom I can obtain the information?

MR. SPEAKER

I am unable to say, but if the honourable Member communicates privately with the right honourable Gentlemen they no doubt will tell him.