§ MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN (Kilkenny, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to a meeting of the Lambeth Guardians, recently held, at which a report was adopted stating that the services of a trained nurse, who was temporarily engaged by the master, should be dispensed with on the ground that she was a Catholic; whether he is aware that the report of the committee declared that she had discharged her duties in a very satisfactory manner; and that, notwithstanding this, her dismissal, because of her religion, was carried with practical unanimity; and, if so, whether he will state what action he proposes to take in the matter.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Bristol, S.I have made inquiry as to the case referred to. It appears from the report of the schools committee of the guardians that the officer was temporarily engaged by the master, that he was not aware at the time that she was a Roman Catholic, and that her duties were discharged in a very satisfactory manner. The committee, however, reported that as nearly all the children in the schools belong to the Church of England, and the Roman Catholic children are cared for in separate institutions, they did not deem it advisable that the engagement of the officer should be confirmed. The report was adopted by the guardians. It rested 37 entirely with them to decide whether or not they would appoint the person in question as nurse, and I have no authority to interfere with their decision.