HC Deb 20 May 1903 vol 122 cc1220-2
MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Cork)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether, in view of the fact that the alterations carried out in the Cork Model Schools were made at the suggestion of the Commissioners of National Education, approved of by the authorised official sent to inspect them, and completed at the expense of the Cork Technical Instruction Committee, he will call upon the Committee of National Education for an explanation of the letter recently sent to the Committee on the subject of the building at† See page 1218. present occupied for the purposes of technical instruction.

MR. WYNDHAM

The Commissioners assented to the carrying out, at the expense of the Technical Instruction Committee, of certain alterations in the Model School. The present difference of opinion does not, however, turn upon these alterations, but upon the further alterations proposed by the Committee. I would suggest that further questions should be deferred until after the next meeting of the Commissioners on the 26th instant.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

Will the right hon. Gentleman express an opinion to the Commissioners that the eviction of the Technical Education Committee should not be allowed to take place until we have had an opportunity of discussing the matter on the Estimates?

MR. WYNDHAM

I will direct their attention to the representations made by the hon. Member. It would not be proper for me to attempt to over-ride them.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

I only ask you to use your influence with them.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the number of children in daily average attendance at present in the Cork Model Schools is only slightly over one-fifth of the number which these schools were constructed to accommodate; and, if so, will he state how many of those in average attendance are classed as infants?

MR. WYNDHAM

The schools were constructed to accommodate 1,226 pupils. The average daily attendance in 1902 was 260, of whom 92 were classed as infants.

MR. FLYNN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state how many pupil teachers have been trained in the Cork Model Schools since its inception, and how many eventually became certified teachers.

MR. WYNDHAM

Over 200. A large proportion of them are believed to have become certificated teachers. In the absence of records the exact number cannot be stated.

MR. FLYNN

How many have been trained in recent years?

MR. WYNDHAM

I must ask for notice of that.