9. Mr. BURNasked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that St. Andrew's National School, Hope Street, Belfast, has consistently had a good record, and has earned a good Grant; that successive inspectors have reported favourably upon it and upon its accommodation, and that now, for the first time, a new inspector has found fault with its equipment; whether this adverse report endangers the Grant upon which this most useful school is depending; and what steps he proposes to take?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that the school referred to has a satis- 1594 factory record. My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in stating that now for the first time a new inspector has found fault with the equipment of the school. So far back as December, 1912, and again in March, 1918, the then inspector called attention to this matter. In August of the present year the matter was again brought under his notice, and he was informed that, unless the necessary desks were supplied before 31st December, 1919, the question of the continuance of Grants to the school must be considered, under the terms of Rule 178 of the Code, which prescribes that, to warrant continuance of Grants to any school, the schoolhouse must be properly furnished.
§ Mr. MOLESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in respect of the previous complaint, the requisition was then complied with; and is he also aware that the failure to provide additional equipment now is due to the fact that school authorities are holding their hand awaiting the Education Bill?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI was not aware of those facts. As the hon. Gentleman well knows, I am speaking as the mouthpiece of the Education Department. I will have those facts brought to their notice, and see what I can do.
§ Mr. MOLESWill the right hon. Gentleman in the meantime undertake, if the defect is due largely to inaction on the part of the Government, to see that this school is not subjected to any penalty?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI will convey those facts to the authorities.