HC Deb 26 March 1914 vol 60 cc527-8
9. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland complain in their annual Report of having been represented as refunding to the Treasury portion of the money voted by Parliament for their purposes, and explain that the money in fact never reached them; if he will state the amount of money so treated in the last ten years; why it is embodied in the Commissioners' statement of account if it never reached them; and which authority is correct, the Commissioners or the auditor?

Mr. BIRRELL

I have seen the statement in the annual Report of the Commissioners of National Education referred to in the question. The amount of the unexpended balance of the Vote for Public Education, Ireland, in each of the past ten years is stated in the Annual Appropriation Accounts of Civil Service and Revenue Departments. With regard to the two last paragraphs of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the full explanation given by the Commissioners on page 9 of their annual Report already referred to.

Mr. GINNELL

The right hon. Gentleman has not said whether this money has been paid to the Commissioners. Why is the money included in their accounts if it has not reached them?

Mr. BIRRELL

If the hon. Member will refer to the report of the Commissioners he will see the whole case stated there. If the Commissioners do not spend money they cannot apply the surplus to some new head of expenditure, but must account for it.

Mr. GINNELL

This money is audited as having been received by the Commissioners, and the Commissioners say it never reached them?

Mr. BIRRELL

I do not understand that that is the reason.