§ 21. Mr. BOLANDasked on what date the new rules of the Intermediate Board respecting experimental science were laid upon the Table of the House, and on what date they were published so as to be available for heads of schools and teachers; and can he give an undertaking that next year and in subsequent years the rules shall be printed and published simultaneously with their being laid upon the Table of the House?
§ Mr. DUKEThe dates asked for are the 6th April and 27th June last respectively The suggestion in the last part of the question is not practicable, as the rules cannot be printed until the House of Commons so orders.
§ Mr. BOLANDWould the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to the procedure carried out, both in England and Ireland, with regard to changes in educational matters? Is it not usual for those Departments in England and Scotland to lay such proposals printed when they are laid upon the Table of the House?
§ 49. Mr. BOLANDasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the Department received any official notice from the Intermediate Board with reference to the introduction of a written examination in experimental science; and, if so, on what date such official notice was received?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Department of Agriculture inform me that they did not receive any such official notice.
§ Mr. BOLANDAs the right hon. Gentleman is President of the Intermediate Board, can he say of his own knowledge-whether the Intermediate Board ever sent that notice?
§ Mr. DUKEI am President of several Boards in Ireland at whose meetings and. proceedings I am never present. If the hon. Member will put down a question about this matter I will ascertain the facts.