§ * MR. DELANYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will grant a Return showing the average yearly committals to industrial schools in Ireland for the year preceding the 1st October, 1898, and two subsequent years; and whether the Government intend introducing legislation this session dealing with reformatories and industrial schools in Ireland; and, pending such legislation, the Lord Lieutenant will withdraw the circular issued to Irish magistrates, dated 1st October, 1898.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe number of children committed to industrial schools in Ireland during the year ended the 30th September, 1898, was 1,338. In the two succeeding years the numbers were 939 and 985 respectively. A Bill dealing with reformatory and industrial schools has been prepared, but I cannot undertake to introduce it during this session. It is not proposed to withdraw the circular of October, 1898.
§ MR. DILLONWill the right hon. Gentleman have the Bill printed at once?
§ MR. WYNDHAMIt would be a most unusual course to print and circulate it in a session in which it was not to be introduced.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)But surely it is not unreasonable that Irish Members should desire the information.