§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number of elementary evening schools which were in operation in District 5, Section B, during Session 1910–11; the number of such schools which received, respectively, a capitation fee of 17s. 6d., 15s., or 12s. 6d. per unit of average attendance; the number of evening schools which were in operation during Session 1911–12; and the number of these which received, respectively, a capitation fee of 17s. 6d., 15s., or 12s. 6d. per unit of average attendance?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that there were sixteen elementary evening schools in operation in the district referred to during the Session 1910–11, and nineteen during the Session 1911–12. The Commissioners consider that no useful public purpose would be served by publishing the further particulars asked for in the question, as any comparison made between the figures or conclusions drawn from them would be misleading.
§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state whether it is in accordance with the Commissioner's Rules for Mr. Cole, the inspector of District 5, Section B, for the past year, to hold examinations of many of the evening schools for Session 1911–12 at dates of from four to five weeks after the termination of the Session; and, under these 1735W circumstances, was he justified in reducing from 17s. 6d. to 12s. 6d., or even to 15s., the capitation fees of teachers who received the highest grant for many years previously?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that it is desirable that the final inspections of evening schools should be held before the end of the Session, and this is generally done, but it is not always possible. The rate of capitation payment, however, is determined not merely by the final inspection, but also by what is observed at earlier visits.