§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if he will state, for general convenience, the system in Canada under which rates are allocated for educational purposes to public and denominational schools.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe rating system in Canada is so different from that in force in this country, that I do not think any useful suggestions for solving our difficulties would be derived from any statement of the Canadian practice.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in view of the general and widespread interest felt in this matter, and the approaching debate on the education question he cannot at the general desire arrange that some information on this subject shall be placed in the hands of Members of Parliament?
§ MR. MCKENNAI will make inquiries on that point. I find it would be impossible to obtain the information asked for in so short a space of time as that suggested. It would require some months to get it.
§ LORD R. CECILIs not the information contained in the statutes now in force?
§ MR. MCKENNANo; the practice of rating in Canada varies so much in different parts of the Dominion that it would be necessary to send a commissioner out to obtain it.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)Is it not the fact that in certain parts of Canada the system of rating is so arranged that the money paid is earmarked for the particular denomination? In the form I have seen it is so. Is it not the fact that the ratepayer in filling up the form indicates whether he desires 1119 his rate shall go to the public school or to any denominational school; are not all the moneys collected for a particular denomination pooled together, and in the event of any deficiency does not the denomination have to make it up?
§ MR. MCKENNAGenerally speaking, I believe that is so; but still the practice varies in Canada, and any information the Government might give on the subject would have to be complete, and it would necessarily take considerable time to get it. Still I will do my best to get it.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDDoes the right hon. Gentleman seriously tell us it would take months to get this information? Surely it would be obtainable from Canada by return of post.
§ MR. MCKENNASome information I could so get no doubt, but all the information which this House requires cannot be obtained quickly.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman get information on the point I have indicated as to the allocation of rates—the ear-marking of the money to particular denominations?
§ MR. MCKENNAI have stated I will do my best to get it. I cannot promise, however, that it will be delivered as quickly as the hon. Member wishes.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman make application to the High Commissioner of Canada, who I am perfectly sure will give it when he knows it will be for the convenience of Members of this House?
§ MR. MCKENNAThat is one of the steps I should propose to take.