§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the recent dismissal of the female teacher Miss Anderson, and the illegal appointment of the Chairman of the Board of Garlagie School, have created great dissatisfaction in the parish of Skene, Aberdeenshire; and whether the Scotch Education Department have received a petition, largely signed by ratepayers, protesting against recent proceedings in Garlagie School, and praying that the Department may end the difficulty 356 by themselves appointing a new Chairman of the Board?
§ *SIR C. J. PEARSONI understand that the recent dismissal of Miss Anderson, and the appointment of the Chairman of the Skene School Board, have been discussed in that parish. The Department have received a petition asking that another person than the present Chairman of the Board should be nominated as a member of the Board; and they have also received a petition from ratepayers in favour of the present Chairman continuing in office. As at present informed, I do not see that the case is one which calls for the interference of the Department.