§ Mr. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the public meetings which have been and are being held all over Ireland on primary education; and whether, in view of the fact that all sections of the Irish people, irrespective of politics, have passed unanimous resolutions at these meetings in favour of much-needed reforms in the system of primary education, he can state when the subject will be dealt with; and, if not, will he explain the reasons for ignoring this question in which the whole country is united.
75 (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am aware that many meetings in reference to this subject have been held, and that there is a strong feeling in favour of giving better salaries and pensions to the teachers. The Irish Government have no intention of ignoring the question; but, having regard to the large amount of money involved, it is not possible to deal with it at present.