§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the amount paid to the Board of Works annually by each of the training colleges of Belfast and Limerick on account of their building loans; what proportion does this annual payment bear to the total income of each college; and whether, in the interest of education in these most important institutions, it is proposed to relieve them of this burden and give them free homes on the same terms as they have been given to the denominational colleges in Dublin.
*MR. WYNDHAMThe income of the Belfast Training College for the year ended 31st August last was £3,583, and of the College at Limerick, £2,188. The annual payments on foot of their building loans are £853 and £803 respectively. It has already been more than once explained that there is no power under existing Treasury rules to make free grants in respect of these colleges, The cases of the colleges in Dublin were exceptional, and the object of the decision arrived at in 1890 was to place the denominational and undenominational colleges in that city on an equality.
§ MR. BOLANDIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the sum of £3,000 annually would settle the whole question and put these denominational and undenominational training colleges on an equal basis? Will the right hon. Gentleman make such a grant?