HC Deb 31 October 1906 vol 163 cc1128-9
MR. LONSDALE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the last Report of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland with reference to the subject of building grants; whether he has been furnished with a return of unsuitable schoolhouses, and the amount required to place defective school buildings in a satisfactory position; and whether any arrangement has yet been arrived at with the Treasury so as to remove the existing deadlock in the matter of building grants.

MR. BRYCE

The reply to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the return of unsuitable school-houses which they are having prepared is not yet complete. As soon as it has been completed, the Commissioners intend to make an estimate of the amount required to place defective school buildings in a satisfactory condition. The Commissioners have, at the request of the Treasury, prepared new plans of school-houses, and are about to submit these for consideration. The correspondence upon the subject of building grants generally is proceeding, and I have every reason to hope that the matter is now approaching completion.

MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)

May we expect any definite action this year?

Mr. BRYCE

I can hardly say. The matter is taking more time than was anticipated.