HC Deb 31 March 1910 vol 15 cc1447-8
Mr. THOMAS O'DONNELL

asked the Chief Secretary whether the rules and programme of the Intermediate Education Board for the year 1910–11 would soon be published?

Mr. BIRRELL

The rules and programme of examinations for 1911 are being laid on the Table of the House to-day, and I am taking steps to secure that they shall be printed and circulated as soon as possible.

Mr. THOMAS O'DONNELL

asked the Chief Secretary whether any arrangement has been come to by the Intermediate Board whereby students taking Irish in the modern literary course in the forthcoming examinations will not be penalised as compared with those taking French and German?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Commissioners of Intermediate Education inform me that, under the rules for conducting the forthcoming examinations, students taking Irish are not placed at any disadvantage for passing the examination in comparison with students taking any of the other languages contained in the Board's programme, and that the rules published by the Board show clearly that Irish is on the same footing as other languages.

Mr. THOMAS O'DONNELL

May I ask whether last year the Board did not give 602 students in French and 600 in German?

Mr. BIRRELL

I must ask for notice of that question.