§ MR. FFRENCHTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a meeting of teachers recently held in Wexford protesting against the allocation of the Equivalent Grant to purposes other than the promotion and extension of primary education, and requesting the Government to place the Teachers' Pension Fund on a sound financial basis; and, if so, will he state what steps, if any, the Government will take during the present session to meet the wishes of the teachers.
(Answered by Mr. Atkinson.) I have seen a report of the proceedings at the meeting referred to. The question of the allocation in Ireland of the amount provided as an equivalent of the aid grant for education in England has been frequently discussed in this House. The Government have no further statement to make in the matter at present. The hon. Member's inquiry respecting the Teachers' Pension Fund should be addressed to my hon. friend the Secretary to the Treasury.