§ MR. BARRIE (Londonderry, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that an order has recently been issued directing clerks of petty sessions to remit to Dublin Castle in future all fines recovered under the compulsory school attendance provisions of The Education (Ireland) Act, 1892; whether this has been done by his instructions; whether he is aware that the order is in contravention of Section 3, Sub-section (5) of the said Act; and whether he will have the order at once withdrawn.
§ MR. CHERRY (for Mr. BIRRELL)The hon. Member refers to a circular letter which has been sent to petty sessions clerks calling attention to the law as to the disposal of fines imposed under the Irish Education Act, 1892. The Government are advised that the subsection quoted in the Question merely provides for the application of the proportion of the fines under the Education Act which is awarded to local authorities, 75 and does not contain a direction that the entire amount of fines under the Act is to be paid to such authorities. Consequently the application of penalties under the Act is governed by the Fines Act, 1851, which provides that one-third of any fine may be paid to the prosecutor.