HC Deb 20 June 1912 vol 39 cc1820-1
10. Mr. O'DONNELL

asked what was the cause of the delay in enforcing the rule requiring students seeking admission to the training colleges to pass an examination in a second language?

Mr. BIRRELL

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked on this subject by the hon. Member for the Connemara Division on the 7th May last.

Mr. O'DONNELL

Is it not a fact that two years ago a promise was made by the Board to have this rule introduced, and, seeing that 200,000 children are learning Irish and no teachers are trained for them, will not the right hon. Gentleman take some steps in the matter?

Mr. BIRRELL

It involves Treasury sanction. The National Board have laid their case before the Treasury, but have not yet obtained sanction for the additional expenditure.