§ MR. MURPHY (Kerry, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a Resolution of the Kerry Catholic school managers asking for the removal of Dr. Starkie from connection with the administration of primary education in Ireland; whether he is aware that similar Resolutions have been passed by many other representative bodies in Ireland; and whether he intends to take any steps to comply with the wishes of a large number of the Irish people in this matter.
MR. BRYCEI have seen the Resolution referred to. It is not within my knowledge that similar Resolutions have been passed by many other bodies, as stated in the Question. The Government do not propose to dispense with the services of an official whose capacity and 1067 energy they value so highly as they do those of the Resident Commissioner.
§ MR. MURPHYArising out of that Answer might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he thinks it is conciliatory to Irish opinion that he should proceed by Answers in this House to load this Gentleman with excessive praise?
MR. BRYCEI speak of what I know, and I believe Dr. Starkie to be a gentleman of very high integrity.
§ MR. MURPHYMight I ask, having regard to the fact that every Catholic in Ireland is opposed to Dr. Starkie, whether the right hon. Gentleman will consider the advisability of transferring him elsewhere?
MR. BRYCEIt has never been brought to my knowledge that every Catholic in Ireland is opposed to him.
§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)Is it not a fact that Dr. Starkie is a Roman Catholic himself?