§ MR. GWYNNI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland why three children, John, Margaret, and Brigid Schofield, who were committed to industrial schools at the Galway Petty Sessions on 5th November, have been discharged by his order from the school without reasons given and without communication to the magistrates; and what provision is to be 1525 made for these children, whose mother is dead and whose father, being a fisherman, is absent for considerable stretches of time.
MR. BRYCEIn the cases referred to I was advised that the evidence upon which the children were committed to industrial schools did not justify the orders made by the magistrates, and I had therefore no alternative but to direct the discharge of the children. There is nothing to prevent the children from being again brought up and committed to industrial schools, provided that sufficient evidence is available, but it is of course the father's primary duty to provide for the care of his children.
MR. BRYCEIt was a point of substance rather than a technicality. The magistrate had no power to make the order unless on adequate evidence, and I am advised there was no such evidence; therefore the order could not be enforced.