HC Deb 15 May 1899 vol 71 cc606-7
Mr. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the programme and rules for the Intermediate Examinations of 1900 have been ready since the 1st January, and are due about the 1st April; and, as these rules will prescribe books of which editions have yet to be prepared, if he will press on the Commissioners the early publication of the programme and rules, in view of the reopening of the various schools in August.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. G. W. BALFOUR,) Leeds, Central

The rules and programme of the Board of Intermediate Education for any year are usually published about the 1st of April of the preceding year, but it is not the fact that the rules and programme for 1900 have been ready since the 1st January last. I am informed by the Assistant Commissioners that the Board have deemed it advisable to delay the publication of the rules and programme for next year in view of the Commission of Inquiry, now sitting, into the system of Intermediate Education in Ireland.

MR. W. JOHNSTON

Can the right honourable Gentleman say when they will be published?

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

I am afraid I cannot. The matter is not under my control.