HC Deb 07 August 1905 vol 151 cc386-7
MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the amount per head of the population voted by the State in the year 1905–6 in England, Ireland, and Scotland for the purposes of primary education; what would be Ireland's share according to the English or Scotch scale; and how much less does Ireland receive annually than she would be entitled to were grants for education made on this bash.

MR. WALTER LONG

Owing to the different systems of elementary education in the three countries an accurate comparison on the basis suggested cannot be drawn. It would appear, however, that the amount per head of population, according to the latest Census Returns, is, approximately:

In Ireland 6s. 5d.
In Scotland 7s. 7d.
In England and Wales 7s. 4d.

On this basis, Ireland would be entitled, on the Scotch and English scales, to about £259,000 and £201,000, respectively, more than she is receiving. But a calculation on the basis of population is obviously misleading, because an important element in the grant is the capitation allowance, common to the three countries, of 10s. per pupil in average attendance; and taking the average school attendance as the basis of calculation, the amount voted per head is:

For Ireland £3 2s. 7d.
For Scotland £2 8s. 2d.
For England and Wales £2 3s. 11d.
MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

Why is it, when we have money to receive, the calculation on the basis of population is misleading, but when it is to be paid it is the reverse?

MR. THOMAS O'DONELL

Seeing it is admitted that Ireland is not getting her fair share, will the Chancellor of the Exchequer consider the desirability of making a further grant?

MR. WALTER LONG

I do not admit anything of the kind.

MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL

You have admitted that on the only satisfactory basis of population Ireland is not getting anything like she deserves.