§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that primary schools in Belfast are small, without class rooms or playgrounds, unsanitary, and unfitted as places of education; and whether, seeing that these schools are private property, with State-paid teachers, and that the city authority has no power over the schools and cannot make provision for the educational needs of the community, the Government has under consideration any scheme for giving the local authority control of primary education in Belfast, with power to provide by State-aid efficient primary schools to meet present requirements.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI am informed by the Commissioners that there is no justification for the suggestion that State-aid is granted to schools that are unsanitary and unfitted as places of education. It is true, however, that there are some national schools throughout Ireland, and in the North of Ireland in particular, that do not come up to the standard of modern requirements in respect to air 1355 space, fittings, accommodation, etc. These schools, however, are being gradually superseded by others of modern type.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThat is at present the subject of negotiation between myself and the Treasury.