HC Deb 03 July 1911 vol 27 cc808-9
Mr. MacVEAGH

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a memorial has been signed by Rev. M. M. Logan, manager of the Emdale Presbyterian National School, Rathfriland, county Down, and by all the leading Presbyterians of the district, protesting against the proposed closing of the school; whether the Board of National Education has considered that the distance to Glascarman National School for the Emdale pupils is two miles for the nearest and much more for the rest, that some of the intervening roads will be impassable in winter months for small children, and that the existing school at Emdale has been recently repaired at considerable cost; and whether, as the proposed change would be productive of public inconvenience and of no benefit, and as the parents have refused to send their children to Glascarman, he will see that action will be suspended and the decision of the Board reconsidered?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Commissioners of National Education have not received the memorial referred to by the hon. Member, nor are they aware that some of the roads will be impassable for small children in winter, or that the schoolhouse has been recently repaired at considerable cost. Of the twenty-six pupils on the rolls twenty live less than two miles from other schools under Protestant management. After full consideration the Commissioners have decided that the school is not required, and have ordered that the grants be withdrawn as from 30th June. They do not propose to reconsider their decision.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what inquiries were made from Presbyterians in this district before it was decided to close the school?

Mr. BIRRELL

No, Sir; I have not been informed by the Commissioners of Education of the inquiries they made, but I understand the facts are that twenty of these children live less than two miles from other Protestant schools.

Mr. MacVEAGH

If I produce evidence satisfactory to the right hon. Gentleman that that is not so, will he have further inquiries made?

Mr. BIRRELL

Certainly.