§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the National Education Board have sanctioned the use of the Roman Catholic schools in Bandbridge, county Down, for the purpose of holding a dance on the 30th instant; and, if so, can he say on what grounds such permission has been given.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the schools in question are non-vested, and that they do not in any ordinary cases exercise any control over the use of non-vested schools on Sundays, or before or after the school hours on other days. No application for the use of these school-rooms for the purpose of a dance has been received by the Commissioners, and consequently no sanction has been given.