§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Chief Secretary whether the books used in national schools in Ireland are published by two firms only; whether there is any, and, if so, what, reason for limiting the publication to those firms; whether he is aware that the favoured firms decline to supply more than one agent in the same town; and whether, in the interests of education, he will take steps to abolish this monopoly?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that the books used in national schools are not published by two firms only. The list of the Looks sanctioned by the Commissioners for use in Irish national schools contains the publications of several school publishers in England, Ireland and Scotland. The appointment of agents is a matter entirely in the hands of the firms concerned, and is one outside the jurisdiction of the Commissioners.