HC Deb 18 May 1911 vol 25 cc2124-5
Captain CRAIG

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will make an effort to arrange with the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland to permit those National school teachers, who so desire, to have a full week's holiday at Coronation time in order to visit London and view the procession, and otherwise take part in the National rejoicings?

Mr. BIRRELL

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh on 6th April, the Commissioners of National Education have decided to allow managers to close their schools on 22nd and 23rd June, and on 10th and 11th July. The Commissioners no doubt considered that this would be a more convenient arrangement in Ireland than to give a full week's holiday at the time of the Coronation. National teachers who wish to visit London to view the Coronation procession will have an opportunity of doing so.

Captain CRAIG

Does that mean that all teachers who desire to do so will get leave from the Commissioners if they make application in time?

Mr. BIRRELL

Yes.

Mr. CHARLES CRAIG

asked whether, where the managers of National schools in Ireland are so disposed, they will be permitted to fly the Union Jack on the school buildings for the day of the King's Coronation?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they adhere to the decision which they arrived at some years ago that they cannot sanction flags of any description in or on National schools.

Captain CRAIG

On this special occasion will the right hon. Gentleman not issue instructions that where the managers and teachers and the majority of the parents of the children attending the schools desire it they may fly the National flag outside the schools?

Mr. BIRRELL

I think it would be very undesirable to have on the National schools any particular flag.

Mr. MOORE

Did the Commissioners arrive at that decision before or after they allowed certain Roman Catholic schools to have religious emblems in their schools?

Mr. BIRRELL

I think that the date when they arrived at their decision was some time in 1888.