HC Deb 18 March 1908 vol 186 cc586-7
MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of schools in which Irish was taught within school hours, the number of pupils to whom it was taught, the average time given per week, and the payment made to the teachers for this work during the year 1907; and the number of schools in which Irish was taught outside school hours, the number of pupils engaged, the average time given per week, and the payment made to the teachers during the same year for this work.

MR. BIRRELL

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the preparation of a Return containing the information asked for in the Question will be a difficult matter, and will take at least a month. I will communicate the facts to the hon. Member as soon as the Commissioners can furnish me with them.

*MR. R. DUNCAN () Lanarkshire, Govan

asked what percentage of the Irish people habitually used the old Celtic language, and how this compared with the percentage in Scotland habitually using Gaelic.

MR. BIRRELL

replied that he had nothing to do with what was taught in Scottish schools.