MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) whether he has any objection to order a revision of the National Teachers' examination papers of 1896; and, if so, whether the District Inspectors will be allowed to be at such revision in their respective districts in order to state the teacher's merits (under consideration) as an effective and efficient teacher; and (2) whether he will authorise the Commissioners of National Education to award marks this year to the candidates who presented themselves for examination (under the name of marks for good teaching) to be added to the total number of marks scored by them at the recent examinations?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURA revision of the examination papers referred to has been in process, and a considerable portion of the work has already been completed. It is not anticipated that the assistance of District Inspectors will be required by the Head Inspectors. to whom the work of revision of the examination papers has been assigned by the Commissioners. As to the second paragraph, I must remind the hon. Member that I have no authority to direct the Commissioners to do what he suggests. I can only bring his suggestion under their notice; this I have done, and I believe the matter will be considered by them at their next meeting.