§ MR. H. L. W. LAWSON (Gloucester, Cirencester)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether lie is aware of the circumstances under which Mr. W. Scott, head teacher (Ampney St. Peter National School, near Cirencester), has received a notice of dismissal, and that such notice is unauthorised by Managers recognised by the Education Department; whether, from September, 1887, to April, 1892, Mr. Scott performed his duties to the satisfaction of all concerned; and also further assisted the Rector of the parish by teaching in the Sunday School and giving assistance in the choir; and whether, having regard to the action taken, he can and will interfere to give effect to the wish of the Managers recognised by the Department? I may further ask if the right hon. Gentleman thinks assistance in parish work should be a necessary qualification for an engagement as school teacher?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Mr. ACLAND,) York, W.R., RotherhamNo, Sir. The Department have not received any intimation from the Managers of this school with regard to the dismissal of Mr. Scott, but it would not be their duty to notify the Department of a change of teacher until he had actually left. I understand from correspondence which has appeared in the Press that Mr. Scott is under notice to leave, and that in one of his letters to Mr. Scott the Rector of Ampney St. Peter expressed himself as well satisfied with his work in the school. The Department has no power to interfere in the matter, nor to determine whether the Rector's letter was sufficiently authorised by the Managers. As I have already stated, the question of legislation with a view to improving in some degree the position of teachers as regards dismissal is under my consideration.