§ MR. BIGGAR (for Mr. LEAMY)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What was the number of examiners under the Intermediate Education Act in the years 1880, 1881, 1882, and 1883; and, what was the proportion of Catholic examiners to those of other religious denominations in each of these years?
§ MR. TREVELYANI answered the first paragraph of the Question on Monday. With regard to the proportion under the Intermediate Education Act of Catholic examiners, I have received the following communication from the Commissioners:—
The Board are not in the habit, when selecting examiners, of inquiring into the religious profession of the candidate. They consider it their main duty to select in each subject of examination examiners in whom the public will have thorough confidence. Having regard to the above predominant consideration, they have 877 been always anxious to give proportionate representation to candidates of the different religious denominations.
§ MR. HEALYAre we to understand, then, that the reason there are so few Catholic examiners is that the Irish public would not have confidence in them?
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, he had as little control over this Board as others. He gave the answer which, he received.