§ 2 and 10. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether he is aware that Ireland at present does not get a single penny from the Treasury for secondary education, while England and Scotland have for years been getting considerable sums; will he explain what is the cause of the delay in giving the proposed Grant of £40,000; and (2) what is the cause of the delay in giving the promised Grant of £10,000 towards secondary education in Ireland; whether teachers and public bodies have spoken strongly in favour of it; and will he say if any responsible authority in Ireland is opposed to it; and, if not, will he take steps to have this money available for the current year?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The hon. Member's statement does not accurately represent the position with regard to the assistance given from public funds to secondary education in England, Scotland, and Ireland. The difficulty with regard to the Grant is to devise a scheme which will fulfil the purpose of improving the position of assistant teachers without unduly restricting the powers of headmasters in the constitution of their staffs. All concerned are in favour of the Grant, but all are not agreed as to the details of the scheme. I am in correspondence with the representatives of a very important body of headmasters on the subject, and hope soon to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLHow soon?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am not wasting a day. There is not a day passes that I am not engaged in discussing the matter.
§ 12 and 13. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked (1) why the new Grant of £40,000 promised by him for Irish intermediate education has been withheld for the year 1912–13, seeing that the assistant teachers have accepted the conditions laid down in the scheme; and (2) whether provision will be made in the Estimates now being prepared for 1913–14 for the distribution of the Grant of £40,000 for Irish intermediate education on the conditions laid down last year?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have just given to the questions on the same subject asked by the hon. Member for West Kerry. The draft scheme which was published last year will require some modification.
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONIs it not a fact that on 31st July last year the right hon. Gentleman did state that the Treasury were going to grant £40,000 in the coming financial year?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI said they were willing to grant £40,000 if a proper scheme were prepared. That scheme is still under consideration.