§ COLONEL MCCALMONT (Antrim, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any alteration has recently been made in regard to the allocation of fines imposed in cases under The Irish Education Act, 1892; whether they are now payable to the Crown instead of the local authority; and whether he will consider the advisability of adopting the proceeding of Section 3 (5) of the Education Act of 1902.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The question involved in this matter is one of law. My right hon. friend the Attorney-General for Ireland has instituted proceedings in the High Court with the object of obtaining an authoritative decision upon the construction of the statutes 1592 regulating the application of the fines referred to. The arguments cannot take place before next sittings.