HC Deb 02 August 1905 vol 150 c1336
MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education what are the languages, other than English, included in the syllabus for the preliminary examination for the certificate in 1907, which is to take the place of the King's scholarship examination.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Sir WILLIAM ANSON, Oxford University)

No language other than English is compulsory. Candidates are at liberty to offer one or two languages as optional subjects. The languages which may be thus offered are Greek, Latin, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Welsh, Hebrew. If two languages are offered, one of them must be one of the first four mentioned.

MR. BOLAND

Is there anything to prevent the Irish language being included?

SIR WILLIAM ANSON

No candidates have yet offered themselves for examination in Irish.

MR. BOLAND

If some do, will the hon. Baronet consider the advisability of including it?

SIR WILLIAM ANSON

Yes, Sir.