§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary what steps he proposes to take to remove the barrier which at present prevents payment being made in secondary schools for children under fourteen years of age; whether this rule will have the effect of postponing secondary education two years longer than is the case in other countries, to the injury of education; and whether it will have the effect of closing many schools that catered specially for the education of the poorer children?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have introduced a Bill for the express purpose of removing the harrier to which the hon. Member refers. If it passes, the difficulties indicated in the latter part of the question will not arise.