§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a communication from the executive of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation in reference to the sum offered to them on account of the arrears of fee grant; and what action he proposes to take on that communication?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.I have within the last few days received a letter from the organisation in question, expressing their willingness to accept the sum of £76,000 as a settlement of their claim to what are called the arrears of the fee grant. But they say nothing as to the new rules of the pension fund, nor do they agree to provide, as I had proposed, one-fourth of the premiums necessary for pensions, on condition that the Treasury assumes the liability for the remaining three-fourths; and I am still receiving protests from teachers against the new rules. I cannot, therefore, regard this communication as such an acceptance of my proposals as would justify me in asking Parliament to pay, by a fresh Vote, to the teachers a sum which has already been paid to the pension fund.