HC Deb 23 June 1910 vol 18 cc473-4
Captain CRAIG

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, under various statutes and regulations made by departments in prisons, factories, and workshops, it is compulsory that adequate heating and sanitary arrangements should be made, but that no such regulations exist in respect of national schools; whether the Government consider that the time has arrived when a grant should be made towards the proper heating and cleansing of national schools; whether legislation on the lines of a Bill introduced by the Irish Unionist party will receive the support of the Government, or whether it would be possible to carry out a satisfactory scheme without legislation; if so, will the necessary steps be taken before the ensuing winter; whether he can state if several memorials and other representations have reached the Lord-Lieutenant on the subject; and, if so, can he state the nature of the replies forwarded from the Irish Office?

Mr. BIRRELL

The facts of the case would appear to be as stated in the first part of the question. I have on several occasions expressed myself as being in favour of the principle embodied in the Bill, to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, and have promised to make representations on the subject to the Treasury as soon as a suitable scheme for the heating and cleaning of the schools has been submitted to me, with the general support of the school managers. I hope that it may be possible to attain the object in view without legislation, and I should be very glad if a scheme for the purpose could be carried into effect before next winter. In the present position of the question it has not been possible, in most cases, to send more than formal acknowledgment of the representations which have been made to the Irish Government on the subject, but replies have been sent to the representatives of school managers of various denominations in the sense of this answer.

Captain CRAIG

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has yet approached the Treasury on the subject?

Mr. BIRRELL

Oh, dear, yes, again and again. But we have been waiting for a formal and proper scheme. I think I may say that such a scheme has now been submitted, but it awaits the criticism which it will no doubt receive at the hands of the Treasury. The scheme has only been put forward within the last few days.

Captain CRAIG

Will the right hon. Gentleman try to get this carried through before next winter?

Mr. BIRRELL

I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that I share with him very strongly the desire to get this matter through before next winter.