HC Deb 10 May 1905 vol 145 cc1481-2
MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord - Lieutenant of Ireland whether Rule 127 (b) of the National Commissioners has been withdrawn or modified; and, if modified, what is the present form of the rule.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Bristol, S.

I beg to refer to my reply to the Question of the hon. Member for Kilkenny, put on Thursday last†

MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me the purport of that Answer?

MR. WALTER LONG

That at the last meeting of the National Board of Education certain modifications were unanimously agreed to and that they had been forwarded to the Treasury

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

What is the objection to making them public now?

MR. WALTER LONG

I cannot say. I was under the impression that the modifications were generally approved.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

Have the Treasury signified their approval?

MR. WALTER LONG

I have not had the answer yet. † See page 929.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

said that this was a matter of great importance to the people of Ireland. He hoped the right hon. Gentleman would see that the modifications were made public before they were approved by the Treasury. Why should there be secrecy or any hugger-mugger about the work of the National Board?

MR. WALTER LONG

said he was not aware, personally, of any reason; he was not responsible for the proceedings of the National Board, but would make inquiry.