§ MR. VESEY KNOX (Londonderry)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that only two itinerant dairy maids are employed by the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland to teach butter-making; and whether he will consider of increasing the number, in view of the number of places where such teaching is desirable?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIn addition to the two itinerant dairy maids employed exclusively at visiting the local centres, the services of the principal dairy maid of the Albert Agricultural Institution, Glasnevin, are granted at times when she can be spared from the institution as itinerant dairy maid. The Commissioners have had under careful consideration the progress of the work for which the services of these dairy maids were sanctioned by the Treasury, and they are satisfied that the value of their instruction is becoming year by year more recognised throughout the country, as practical experience of the good resulting from such instruction extends. The itinerant dairy maids are only sent to localities where local committees are formed to guarantee the necessary supply of milk, and suitable accommodation, etc., and the question of increasing the number of dairy maids 412 must depend largely on the increase in the number of the demands for their services. It has not been deemed necessary, so far, to ask sanction for new appointments, but in case the number of places for which demands are received should warrant such application, the Commissioners would be prepared to submit a. representation on the matter to the Irish Government.