§ MR. FLAVINI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that there is a very strong feeling held by public bodies and the people generally against the recent rules of the Intermediate Board of Education, which have reduced the number of works in Celtic from 600 to 500; and whether, owing to the successful efforts now being made in several portions of Ireland to revive the Irish language, the Intermediate Board of Education will place Celtic on the same level as French and German.
§ *MR. G. W. BALFOURThe reduction from 600 to 500 in the number of marks assigned to Celtic was made by the Commissioners of Intermediate Education in the programme of examination for 1897. The reduction was made by the Commissioners after full consideration, and I am not aware that they propose to again modify their rules in the sense indicated in the question. The matter is entirely one for them to decide.
§ MR. FLAVINMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will accept the opinion of the public of Ireland, who think they are being very unfairly treated in this matter?
§ *MR. G. W. BALFOURI have no authority in the matter.