HC Deb 14 August 1911 vol 29 cc1564-5
Mr. T. M. HEALY

asked what is the cause of the delay on the part of the Commissioners of National Education in giving notice to managers to proceed with the building of schools already sanctioned by them; and how many schools now await erection under the building grant voted by Parliament?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

The delay which has occurred in certain cases is due to the fact that the Commissioners are still in correspondence with the Treasury and the Irish Government as to the application of the revised scale of building grants adopted in January last to those cases, 130 in number, in which the Commissioners had, prior to its adoption, provisionally sanctioned the building of new schools, but had not formally sanctioned grants. In addition to these 130 cases the Commissioners have 291 applications before them, and have sanctioned grants on the new scale in twenty-seven cases. The remainder are under consideration, but the funds available will only enable the Commissioners to deal with cases of extreme urgency.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is under discussion between the Commissioners and the Treasury?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

I understand that the Treasury are anxious that the cases which have been provisionally sanctioned should be carried out under the new scale, and then those on the new scale could be provided for.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

If Parliament makes a grant for an Irish purpose, can the British Treasury still claim the right to control the distribution of the grant and interfere with an Irish Department?

Mr. REDMOND BARRY

The hon. and learned Member should ask the representative of the Treasury.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

Then, I suppose, I may ask the Financial Secretary to the Treasury?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I want notice of the particular subject. I have no doubt that the action of the Treasury could be justified.