§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary whether the Irish county councils, in striking a rate under the Irish Universities Act, can stipulate that portion should be devoted by the University authorities to aiding exceptionally clever boys and girls at primary schools to be selected for university training examinations in primary subjects conducted by the university college authority themselves; and, if not, whether he will make any proposals this Session for the amendment of the Act in that particular?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not think it would be in the power of the County Councils to raise or apply money for the purpose indicated in the question. Under their Charters and Statutes the Universities and colleges could not apply moneys provided under the Irish Universities Act (1908) to such a purpose. The same test applies in the case of County Councils under Section 10 (2) of the Act, where the proposal is not one for assisting students at a University by means of exhibitions, scholarships, or 1677W the like. I do not propose to introduce any legislation in the matter. The question raised does not involve an amendment of the Universities Act.