HC Deb 21 March 1907 vol 171 cc864-5
MR. LONSDALE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that no portion of the sum of £25,000 voted from the Ireland Development Grant in 1906–7 towards the cost of rebuilding necessitous national schools in Ireland has yet been spent; what is the cause of the delay; and whether he will take steps to see that the moneys allocated by Parliament for this purpose are utilised.

MR. BIRRELL

The sum voted from the Ireland Development Grant for national school buildings in the current year is £15,000. This sum is in addition to the £20,000 provided in the Vote for Public Works and Buildings, Ireland. Owing to the temporary partial suspension of grants for building it has not been found necessary to draw upon the former sum. The delay in making the grants has been due to the discussion as to the basis upon which such grants are to be made, and also to the question of adopting new standard plans.

MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much money has been actually used for this purpose?

MR. BIRRELL

I have not got the figures. I hope that very soon a satisfactory arrangement will be arrived at.