HC Deb 25 May 1911 vol 26 cc421-2
Mr. LONSDALE

asked the number of National schools in the parish of Dromore, county Tyrone, which are under Roman Catholic and Protestant management, respectively; whether the Commissioners have made any proposals for amalgamation except in the case of the Dromore (No. 2) school, which is under the control of a Church of Ireland manager; if he is aware that in consequence of the withholding by the Commissioners of the salary of the teacher of the Dromore (No. 2) school, following upon the refusal of the managers of that school to consent to amalgamation with the Crossan school, in the parish of Kilskerry, the teacher of the Dromore school has resigned; if he is aware that if this school should be closed there will be only one Protestant school in the parish of Dromore, the area of which is forty square miles, and the children who formerly attended Crossan school will have to travel two and a-half miles, and those who attended the Dromore school will have to travel three and a-half miles, to attend a school with a Protestant teacher; if he will state what means of conveyance will be provided by the Board for these children; what will be the cost of conveyance in each case; and what was the former salary paid to the teacher at the Crossan and Dromore (No. 2) schools, respectively?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that there are seven national schools under Roman Catholic and four under Protestant management in the parish of Dromore. Dromore (No. 2) school is the only case in which proposals for amalgamation have been made. The Commissioners understand that the principal teacher of this school has resigned. They have not withdrawn aid from that school, but have de- cided to withhold the grants until their wishes in the matter of amalgamation have been complied with. As this school has not been closed the question of the conveyance of the children to other schools does not arise. The salary of the teacher of Crossan School is £51, and of Dromore £84, with payments from the Residual Capitation Grant, which last year amounted to £3 10s. and £3 15s. respectively.

Mr. LONSDALE

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the matter further consideration?

Mr. BIRRELL

I will ask the Commissioners of National Education.