§ Mr. THOMAS O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the total number of students who presented themselves for examination in the modern literary course of the Intermediate Education Board for Ireland last year; the number in Division I.; the number in Division II.; the number and value of exhibitions given to each of those divisions; and whether he will take steps to secure that students taking Irish will not be penalised in favour of those taking German in all future examinations?
The HON. MEMBER alsoasked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the number of students who presented themselves for examination in the modern literary course of the Intermediate Board, Ireland, last year; the number who presented 1285W themselves in Divisions I. and II. respectively; the number and value of exhibitions awarded to each of those divisions; and whether he will secure that in future students presenting themselves in Irish will not be penalised in favour of students presenting themselves in German?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt is impossible to give the number of students who presented themselves for examination in the Modern Literary Courses. Students do not, as I am informed, now present themselves for examination in courses but in subjects. The subsequent classification into courses is only for the purpose of the exhibition and prize lists. I understand that at the last examinations forty-four exhibitions, of the total value of £640, were awarded in Division I. of the Modern Literary Course and forty-nine, of the value of £845, in Division II. For more detailed statistics I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on my behalf in reply to the question asked by him on 21st September last. The rules for 1911 are now being considered by the Board of Intermediate Education, who will doubtless give the question of the relative position of Irish and German in their examinations careful consideration.