§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the dissatisfaction in regard to the introduction of the new rule in boys' schools, he will consult with the National Commissioners of Education as to the advisability of the amalgamation of boys' and girls' schools where work goes on under one roof, and inaugurate a separate infant department for both sexes up to eight, the head mistress holding her salary and being put in charge of the latter department.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) The Commissioners are in favour of the amalgamation of small schools in suitable cases, and the arrangement suggested in the Question might be possible in some such cases. But the circumstances affecting the amalgamation of schools are so varied that each case must be judged on its merits, and it is not practicable to formulate a general rule applicable to all cases.