HC Deb 17 August 1911 vol 29 cc2223-4W
Mr. O'DONNELL

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what percentage of marks was required to obtain first, second, and third division, respectively, at the last Easter examination for entrance to training colleges in Ireland; whether, considering that candidates have now to pay a fee of 10s. in order to be permitted to attend the examination, he will say why they are not supplied with the marks obtained by them at the examination; what is the maximum number of good service marks allowed to monitors who have satisfactorily completed their three years' course; and are those marks taken into account when determining the division in which they are placed?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the information requested in the first paragraph of the question is not supplied to the public. They do not consider it desirable to notify the marks obtained by candidates at the annual examination. The maximum number of service marks awarded to monitors on the completion of their course is 100. These marks are not included when determining the division in which a final year monitor passes at the King's Scholarship examination, but are included in determining the position in the order of merit in which such a monitor stands as a candidate for admission to a training college.

Sir JOHN LONSDALE

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the purpose for which an additional grant of £3,000 has been voted for training colleges under private management; if this grant represents a reversal of the policy hitherto adopted; and if he will explain the reasons which have induced the Treasury to make this concession?

Mr. BIRRELL

The additional £3,000 has been granted for the purpose of extending to the training colleges outside Dublin the same advantages as regards free housing which are enjoyed by the training colleges in Dublin, whether under public or private management. This ex- tension has often been recommended by the Commissioners of National Education, but it has not hitherto been found possible to carry it out. It does not involve any change of policy.