HC Deb 03 July 1913 vol 54 cc2175-6
15. Captain CRAIG

asked the Chief Secretary whether any arrangement has been come to as regards the Grant for secondary education in Ireland or have negotiations failed; will he lay the correspondence on the subject upon the Table; and has the Grant been lost for the present financial year?

20. Mr. HORNER

asked the Chief Secretary whether, having regard to the facts that the Irish intermediate school year ended in June and that managers of schools usually make arrangements during the summer vacation for new teachers for the forthcoming school year, he can now state specifically if there is any reasonable certainty that managers and teachers can, for this next year, look forward to payment of the whole or any part of the Grant of £40,000 per annum promised last July; and, if there is no such reasonable certainty, will he state briefly the reason and publish the correspondence that has passed between himself and the Intermediate Board and those persons with whom he and the Board have been in communication regarding the draft scheme for the administration of the Grant?

Mr. BIRRELL

The correspondence referred to, which explains the difficulties which have arisen, is now in the printer's hands and will be laid on the Table as soon as possible. It will not be possible to make any payments for the school year which has just ended, but I hope that the Grant may be available for payments in respect of the coming school year. I am not, however, yet in a position to make a definite promise on the subject.

Sir JOHN LONSDALE

Will the right. hon. Gentleman be able to give an assurance that the £40,000 will be available to enable teachers to make their arrangements during the month of July?

Mr. BIRRELL

That assumes that the £40,000 will be available. I can only say I hope it will be.

Sir J. LONSDALE

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the £40,000 will be available?

Mr. BIRRELL

No, I cannot.

Sir J. LONSDALE

Last year?

Mr. BIRRELL

I said that it would be available if I came to an agreement with the powers concerned.

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