HC Deb 24 March 1902 vol 105 cc831-2
MR. MACVEAGH

L beg to ask the hon. Member for the Tonbridge Division, as a Charity Commissioner, whether he is aware that the Benevolent Society of St. Patrick, Stamford Street, London, was founded on the condition that no religious distinction whatever should prevail in its educational work; whether he is aware that, although inducements are held out to Roman Catholic children to attend the schools, no Roman Catholic teacher is employed in connection therewith; and whether he will institute inquiries with a view to ascertaining whether the charity is being administered in accordance with the terms of the trust.

THE PARLIAMENTARY CHARITY COMMISSIONER (Mr. GRIFFITH BOS-CAWEN,) Kent, Tunbridge

The Charity Commissioners are unable at the present moment to say whether the Benevolent Society of St. Patrick is within their jurisdiction, having no record of the circumstances in which the Society was founded, or of the trusts upon which its property is held. They are causing inquiry to be made as to these particulars. With reference to the last part of the Question, the Commissioners have no knowledge of the manner in which the school of the Foundation is conducted, except that it would seem to be in receipt of an annual Parliamentary grant, and I would suggest that this information would be better obtained from the Board of Education.