§ Mr. HORNERasked whether the Grant of £40,000 per annum promised for Irish intermediate education has been included in the Estimates for the current year?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir. The difficulties which have arisen in connection with this matter are nearly settled, but the scheme is not sufficiently mature to justify the provision of the money in the Estimates for the current financial year. The Grants would not in the ordinary course be payable until the end of the school year fol-1690W lowing the date on which the scheme comes into operation.
§ Mr. HORNERasked the Chief Secretary who are chiefly responsible for the opposition to, and consequent delay in getting, the Grant of £40,000 per annum promised last year for Irish intermediate education, and the reasons advanced by them as justifying their opposition?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt is not accurate to say there has been any opposition to the Grant. The preparation of a scheme for its distribution was necessarily a matter involving discussion and consequent delay, but I am happy to be able to say that the difficulties are, I think, nearly at an end.