§ MR. DILLONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is now in a position to make a full statement of the situation as to school building grants in Ireland; whether the dispute between the Treasury and the National Board in this matter has now lasted for six years; and whether he can state the reasons for this state of affairs. May I also ask whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to that part of the last Report of the Commissioners for National Education which deals with this subject, and whether he can lay on the Table the full correspondence between the Treasury and the National Board on this question of school grants?
MR. BRYCEI am afraid I cannot say that the confidential correspondence between the Departments can be laid on the Table. After consultation with the Treasury I am able to say that the present position is that the suggestions of the Commissioners of National Education as regards standard plans for the future were forwarded by the Irish Government to the Treasury a few days ago, and are now being examined on behalf of the Treasury. In the mean time, the Commissioners have authority to submit urgent cases, with details of requirements in each case, for consideration on their merits.
§ Mr. DILLONAm I to understand that after six years—for this question arose six years ago—these controversies between the Treasury and the National Board are still going on while the school houses are falling in ruins about the heads of the children? Are we now where we were six years ago?
MR. BRYCEThat is not the case at all. It is not the case that this particular question has been going on for six years, though there has been a great deal of regrettable delay. There had been a great deal of correspondence backwards and forwards going on for some time before the present Government came into office about the amount of money that should be given; but these questions have been very largely disposed of now, and a general arrangement for the disposal of the money for the next few years has been come to. For the moment this further question has arisen, and that is the question which is now stopping the way. 1 hope it will soon be disposed of.
§ MR. DILLONAs this is a matter of vital importance, I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he cannot press the Treasury to allow him to lay the correspondence and a full statement of the situation before the House?
§ MR. T. L. CORBETTMay I ask the so-called Chief Secretary for Ireland —[Ministerial cries of "Order."]
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is not entitled to Use insulting language.
§ MR. T. L. CORBETTI withdraw the epithet, Sir. It was only called forth by the insult of the Chief Secretary to the Irish Unionist Party in answer to a previous Question of mine.
§ * MR. SPEAKERIf the right hon. Gentleman had used any expression I considered unparliamentary I should have called his attention and the attention of the House to it.
§ MR. LONSDALEasked whether the right hon. Gentleman had any right to describe the Irish Unionist Party as "the so-called Unionist Party?"
§ * MR. SPEAKERMany things may be said of a Party which may not be said of an individual.
MR. BRYCEIf that expression, which, I confess, I used in a somewhat festive manner, gives any offence to the hon. Member, of course I withdraw it.
§ MR. R. DUNCAN (Lanarkshire, Govan)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is in Ireland a desire which is rapidly ripening into a demand for more effectual dealing with educational matters, and will he take an early opportunity of placing before the House some statement of policy?
§ * MR. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the Question on the Paper.