§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDOn be half of the hon. Member for West Kerry, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether in the national schools of Ireland any attempt is I made to give Irish children an insight into the elementary principles of political economy, especially as it affects the welfare of their own country; and whether, seeing the desire that exists amongst all classes in the community to turn to the best account all the available resources of the country, steps will be taken to give the children in the schools a knowledge of the scientific principles of success in commerce and industry.
MR. BRYCEPolitical economy is not a subject of instruction in national schools, but the Commissioners of National Education inform me that lessons on some of the elements of branches of that science, such as banks, commerce, and kindred matters, are contained in the reading books of the fifth and sixth standards.