§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, at the intermediate examinations in 1911) 30 per cent. in the combined subjects arithmetic and algebra secured a pass, whereas in 1912 the student who did not get 30 per cent. in each failed; whether in the rules algebra and arithmetic form one subject for a pass; on what grounds, in face of Rule 28 (o), did the Commissioners make this change without notice to schools; whether, in view of previous practice and of the rules, the Commissioners will order that all students who got 30 per cent. in the combined subjects and are qualified otherwise be awarded a pass?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of Intermediate Education inform me that under Rule 28 (a) for 1912 the minimum number of marks on which students may pass the examination in any subject is 30 per cent. on each pass paper in that subject. As there were separate papers for arithmetic and algebra, as in 1911, the Rule referred to clearly lays down that students must obtain 30 per cent. in each of those papers in order to pass the examination. The Rules for 1912 were published twelve months before the examination, and it cannot, therefore, be said that the change was made without notice to the schools.