HC Deb 12 July 1898 vol 61 cc671-3
MR. FLAVIN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that it is stated in the 63rd Annual Report of the Commissioners of National Education that the average expenditure in Irish national schools is £2 2s. 10¾d., including model schools, where the expenditure is £4 3s. 3½d. per pupil, while the expenditure in English board schools is £2 11s. 11¾d. per pupil, in Scotland £2 8s. 4½d. per pupil, and in Argyll £3 3s. 2d. per pupil; whether the Report of the Commissioners of National Education is correct; and whether any reason can be given why the salary of the Irish assistant teacher is only £63 as compared with the English assistant who receives £97, and the Scotch assistant £103 per annum?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

The figures quoted in the first paragraph, so far as they represent the average expenditure per pupil in Irish National schools, are based upon grants from Imperial sources exclusively, whilst the figures quoted as representing the average expenditure in English and Scotch schools take also into account the aid to such schools from local sources. Thus, in the case of English schools the aid from local sources; averaged £1 2s. 0½d. and from Government grants £1 9s. 11¼d. per pupil, as compared with 2s. 8d. and £2 2s. 10¾d, from the same sources respectively in the case of Irish schools. Similarly, as regards the Scotch schools the rate of income per pupil from local sources amounted to 14s. 5¾d., and from Government grants £1 14s. 0½d. There is no reason to question the accuracy of the calculations made in the Report of the Commissioners. As regards the third paragraph, I must refer the honourable Member to the reply to the similar inquiry addressed by him on May 12th last to my right honourable Friend the Secretary to the Treasury. No proper comparison can be drawn between the incomes of teachers in the three countries, having regard, amongst other reasons, to the proportion borne by contributions from local sources to State grants in each country.

MR. FLAVIN

Is it correct to say that the average annual expenditure per pupil is £2 4s. 1d. in Ireland, £1 18s. 7d. in Scotland, and £1 15s. in England?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

No, Sir.

MR. FLAVIN

I was simply quoting from a reply given me by the right honourable Gentleman to a former question on the same subject.