MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is proposed to create in Ireland a monopoly in the sale of National School requisites, and whether those will be manufactured and supplied from Great Britain; and whether it can be arranged to have the articles of Irish manufacture?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe Commissioners have no desire to create a monopoly in the sale of National School requisites in the ordinary trade sense, nor have they any intention to procure books exclusively manufactured in Great Britain, but they are anxious to afford the pupils of National Schools the opportunity of procuring school requisites on the lowest terms' consistent with good quality, and their arrangements are made with this object. The proportion of such requisites which shall be of Irish manufacture must depend on the fulfilment of the necessary conditions by Irish firms.
§ MR. W. REDMONDMay I ask the right honourable Gentleman if he will take care that the National Board, in making their arrangements, do not exclude the small stationers who have hitherto been able to supply these things?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have a great many times explained in this House that I have no power of interference with the National Commissioners.
§ MR. MACNEILLThe right honourable Gentleman is the official head.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo, Sir.