§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, owing to their late presentation to Parliament, the rules made by the Intermediate Education Board frequently come into operation before headmasters and others interested have an opportunity of examining them in print; and whether, having regard to the constitution of the Board and the desirability of enlisting for its work the co-operation and support of all activity engaged in education, he will take steps to ensure that in future the rules shall be laid before Parliament at an earlier period of the session and printed as soon as possible thereafter.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of Intermediate Education are not aware of any case in which their rules have come into operation before those interested have had an opportunity of examining them in print. I would remind the hon. Member that under the statute the rules must lie before Parliament for forty days before becoming operative. The rules at present in question lay on the Table of this House for forty days before the recent recess, and no exception was taken to them. I will consult the Board of Intermediate Education as to the possibility of laying the rules before Parliament at an earlier date in future.