§ MR. M'GHEE (Louth, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state what number of monitresses in their fifth year of service and girls for entrance to training colleges presented themselves for examination at the different centres in Ireland last Easter week; and whether monitresses were examined three months previous to the termination of the monitorial engagement, although in former years the examination was held in the month of July; whether, considering that a number of new subjects were added to the programme and for the first time made compulsory, he will explain on what grounds young girls having given five years' faithful service as monitresses should be dismissed the service upon failure in needlework only; and if the whole matter will be taken into consideration in the interest of the service?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOUR1,163 candidates of the class mentioned presented themselves at the Easter examination of 1898. Of these 550 were monitresses and 613 training candidates. The examination took place in July in previous years, but due notice of the change was given. Only one additional subject was included in the new programme. Monitresses who failed to qualify in needle- 278 work and who made sufficient answering on the whole, were not denied classification, but obtained it provisionally on condition of passing needlework at the Easter examination of 1899, to which they will be summoned. There were only 15 such cases. The Commissioners consider that it is for the interest of the service that this arrangement should be continued.