§ MR. MEAGHER (Kilkenny, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners were aware, when sanctioning the advance for the purchase of the Clifden and Annally properties, county Kilkenny, that the schools on those properties were in receipt of endowments out of the same; whether those endowments have not now ceased, so far as the Catholic schools on the property are concerned, and are continued to the Protestant schools; and whether anything will be done to put the Catholic schools on an equality with the Protestant schools.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the majority of the sales on the estate of Lady Annally have been completed. No question as to the endowment of schools on the estate arose when the sales wore being effected, nor would the matter appear to be one in which the Commissioners could exercise any control. The Commissioners are unable to identify any proceedings for sale in respect of the Clifden Estate.