§ MR. W. J. CORBETasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the fact that, while the convent national schools are, according to Sir P. J. Keenan, the Resident Commissioner of National Education, "remarkable for their efficiency in secular teaching, and especially so for their moral and religious results," the nuns who teach in them are deprived of the advantages of the increase accorded to classified teachers; and, whether he will inquire into the matter, with a view to removing this inequality?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the matter was brought before the Commissioners of National Education on an early date, in consequence of a communication which I made to Sir Patrick Keenan. I may observe that this question has been more than once before under the consideration of the Treasury.
§ MR. W. J. CORBETsaid, that the right hon. Gentleman had not stated whether the subject had been recently 597 under the consideration of the Treasury. If it had been recently considered, perhaps he would state the decision.
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, that the subject had not been under the consideration of the Treasury this year, nor was it, so far as he knew, last year.
§ MR. W. J. CORBEThoped the right hon. Gentleman would answer the last part of his Question.
§ MR. TREVELYANThe only reason for my not answering the Question of the hon. Member was, that as the information is contained in many Blue Books and Reports I thought there was no necessity; and, moreover, the hon. Member put it as an assertion. It is true the nuns are deprived of those advantages; but, surely, the hon. Member considers it a sufficient answer to tell him I had communicated with Sir Patrick Keenan, and that the Board of National Education were going to consider the matter.