§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been directed to the further correspondence which has taken place with reference to the condemnation of the Advanced National Reader by the Commissioners of National Education; whether he has had an opportunity of reading the book; whether he is aware that on the 3rd of November, the fifth or senior National Reader of this series was sanctioned by the Commissioners; and can he state upon what principle has a distinction been drawn between these two volumes.
§ MR. BIRRELLI have seen the Resident Commissioner's letter of 10th September last, to which, I presume, the hon. Member refers, and I have also seen the Reader. The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the senior or 5th standard National Reader was specially considered at a meeting of the Board on the 20th October last, in connection with an application for sanction of its use in a National school. The Commissioners ordered that the use of the book should be allowed, but that the publishers should be called on to remove the statement on the title page that the book was "approved by the Commissioners." The Commissioners use their discretion as to what books they consider suitable or otherwise for use in schools receiving aid from their grants.
§ MR. BOLANDWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the Question?
§ MR. BIRRELLWell, the principle, I take it, is the discretion of the Commissioners.
MR. ROLANDIs the right hon. gentleman aware that in the volume which is sanctioned reference is made to the blasted effects of England's rule in Ireland? Why is that permitted when 764 equally true statements appear in the other volume which is not allowed to be circulated?
§ MR. BIRRELLThat would be a proper question to put to me if I exercised any discretion in the matter, but I have, none.