§ Mr. HORNERasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that since 1890 sums of money amounting to £25,000 have been taken from the funds of the Training College, Marlborough Street, Dublin, for the purpose of providing new buildings, all of which are State property, and that in consequence of this the college fund is at present unable to bear a proper pension scheme for the professors and full-time staff or to provide adequate compensation in case of disturbance; and whether, under these circumstances, and considering the likely effect of the Government of Ireland Bill, if it becomes law, on the position of these officers in the future, the Government will consider the question of restoring to the college fund a sufficient part of those moneys to enable suitable provision to be made for the professors and full-time staff of the college in case of disturbance?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that since 1890 sums amounting in the aggregate to at least £25,000 have been expended out of the Marlborough Street Training College Fund for the purpose of providing and equipping new buildings, and that in consequence the college fund is not in a position to support a satisfactory pension scheme. The Government are in no way responsible for the withdrawal of these moneys from the college fund, which is under the direction of the Commissioners themselves, and I cannot hold out any hope that the Government will restore to the fund any portion of the moneys so withdrawn.