§ MR. M. BROOKS (for Mr. BELLINGHAM)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant for Ireland, If Her Majesty's Government will consider the expediency of snaking some provision by way of gratuity for the widows and children of such Irish National Teachers as have served under the Board for a long period, and have continued to discharge their duties up to death?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I do not think I can hold out any prospect of such an arrangement; but it is a question rather for the consideration of the Treasury than of the Irish Government. At present, there is something like a fixed sum distributed among the teachers, upon which no additional charge could be imposed. Therefore, unless there was a balance from that sum, there could be no fund available for the gratuities referred to in the Question. Even, however, if there was a surplus, legislation would be required. It must be remem- 1159 bered that Irish National Schoolteachers are not in a different position in this respect from civil servants of the Crown.