§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the total number of masters serving in Army schools in 1871, and since admitted to the Army School Department, the number of those who are Roman Catholics, the total number of masters promoted to inspectorships, and the number of masters so promoted who are Roman Catholics?
§ MR. BRODRICKOn the 31st December, 1871, there were 246 schoolmasters, of whom 12 were Roman Catholics. Since that date 349 have been appointed, of whom 39 were Roman Catholics, and 52 have been promoted inspectors of Army schools, of whom one was a Roman Catholic. Only six Roman Catholic schoolmasters, however, in 27 years were within the limit of age for appointment when their turns came for consideration. The selection of eligible schoolmasters for inspectorships rests entirely on merit and is not influenced by religious considerations.