§ MR. FLYNNI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can now state what was the result of the last meeting of the Commissioners of National Education in respect to the occupation of a portion of the Cork Model Schools by the local Technical Committee; whether in regard to the difference between the Commissioners and the Committee as to certain alterations, the Commissioners will send a competent surveyor or inspector to meet the Committee with a view to an arrangement of the existing dispute.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe matter was reconsidered by the Commissioners at their special meeting held on the 26th May. The arrangement under which certain rooms of the Model Schools were placed at the disposal of the Technical Committee was expressly stated to be a temporary one. In November last the Board of Works reported to the Commissioners that very serious structural changes in the premises were being proposed by the Committee. In giving 805 their sanction to the temporary use of the school rooms the Commissioners had no idea whatever that the premises were to be interfered with to the extent contemplated, or that arrangements would be made that would interfere with the health of the pupils of the school, or the efficiency of the teaching. It has been found that the school work has been already very adversely affected by the holding of the technical classes in the school, and the encroachments of the Committee on the playgrounds and premises. The Resident Commissioner visited the schools last month and has reported on the defects in the arrangements which he observed at the date of his visit. The Commissioners are of opinion that the full and clear possession of the schools is absolutely necessary for the efficient carrying out of their own work, and they are unable to vary the decision already arrived at, namely, that the temporary arrangement with the Technical Committee should terminate on the 30th instant. Acting on the undertaking given by me on a previous occasion, I communicated with the Commissioners, bringing under their notice the suggestion which had been made that final action be postponed until after the Estimates had been discussed. It appears to me, however, that the Commissioners, for the reasons explained by me, have made out a strong case for the decision at which they have arrived.
§ MR. FLYNNOn the strength of the arrangement the local Technical Committee spent a large sum of money.
§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Cork)said the right hon. Gentleman seemed to favour a friendly arrangement, and he hoped he would communicate that view to the Commissioners.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThey are the sole authorities in the matter.