§ SIR THOMAS LEA (Londonderry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will consider the advisability of discontinuing the practice of asking managers of schools in Ireland every quarter what is their opinion of the teachers as to character; whether any other body of public servants have to obtain a similar certificate every three months; and, whether he is aware that a strong feeling exists among the national school teachers of Ireland against the constant repetition of this question?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralThe Commissioners of National Education consider it would not be advisable, in the public interests, to discontinue the use of the query as to character in the school returns furnished by managers. The Commissioners are not aware whether a similar certificate certificate is required every three months from any other persons in public employment. They have received, from time to time, resolutions of Teachers' Associations in favour of discontinuing the use of the character query.