§ Mr. JEREMIAH MacVEAGH (for Mr. Thomas F. Smyth)asked the Chief Secretary 15 for Ireland if he can state how many pupils are in the different training colleges in Ireland at the present time, and how many are called to training annually; and whether those who take the King's Scholarship, first division, are always called for their course of training before those who only passed in the second division?
§ Mr. CHERRYThere are at present 1,194 King's scholars in residence in the different training colleges in Ireland. The number of new students annually called to training in each of the colleges varies, as it is contingent upon the number of students who qualify to return for the second year of their training course. In no case may the total number of students exceed that for which the college is licensed. The total number of King's scholars who entered upon the training course which commenced last September was 619. The selection of King's scholars from among the qualified candidates rests with the authorities of the different colleges. In the case of the Marlborough-street Training College, which is under the direct management of the Commissioners, candidates who pass upon the King's scholarship programme are selected for the two years' course of training strictly in the order that their answering merits.