§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the 1116 Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether managers and teachers of boys' national schools having the services of duly-qualified assistant teachers are at liberty to enrol pupils under seven years of age0; and, as the Commissioners of National Education have given an undertaking to exclude such schools from the operation of Rule 127 (b), will he recommend the Board to allow the enrolment of pupils as if Rule 127 (b) did not exist.
MR. BRYCEI beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply to a somewhat similar Question put by the hon. Member for West Wicklow on Friday last.† The Commissioners of National Education inform me that boys under seven may be enrolled in a boys' school under a master where there is a qualified female assistant; and of course such boys may also be enrolled in a boys' infant school under a mistress. In the case of other schools for boys only, the terms of Rule 127 (b) are strictly enforced, subject to the exemptions set out in the rule.
In reply to a further Question Mr. Bryce said he would consider any statements which might be made as to the effect of this rule.