§ 24. Captain O'NEILLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a circular has recently been issued by the principals of the Marlborough Street Training College in Dublin to the effect that from September next all candidates admitted to training will be charged a fee of £3; for what purposes the money thus obtained will be used; and whether a similar innovation is being adopted by any of the other training colleges?
§ Mr. DUKEThe principals of the Marl-borough Street Training College have, by direction of the Commissioners of National Education, issued a circular to candidates for admission to the college to the effect that from September next all candidates admitted will be required to pay a fee of £3 per annum. The money thus obtained is intended to meet the general increase in the cost of training of the King's scholars, as the State Grants have proved insufficient for this purpose. I am told it has been the practice of the authorities of most of the training colleges under local management to charge a fee to King's scholars on admission.
§ Brigadier-General M'CALMONTWill the students already there be called upon to pay this £3, and does the right hon. Gentleman consider that this is a suitable moment to raise the price of education instead of lowering it, considering the cost of living?
§ Mr. DUKEThe hon. Member will know that the administration of the Marl-borough Street Training College is not a matter under my control. It is a matter under the control of the National Board of Education in Ireland. I am not responsible for raising the fees there. The Board must be the judge of whether it is necessary to raise them. I would point out, as I have said in the answer I have given, that what has been done in the way 256 of raising fees at Marlborough Street Training College has not been more than what has been customarily done in the other training colleges in Ireland.