§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he has asked the Rotherham Borough Council, or the Committee, for an explanation of their action in connection with the dismissal of Miss Turner, a pupil-teacher, for refusing to remove an engagement ring from her finger, at the bidding of Miss Hodge, one of the mistresses; what explanation do they offer for their treatment of this young lady; whether he is aware that, when ordered to remove the ring, Miss Turner stated that she was wearing it with the sanction of her 1418 parents, and that she did not recognise the authority of anyone else to order her to remove it; whether there is any rule prohibiting the wearing of engagement rings in the pupil-teacher centre, Rotherham; and whether he will recommend that Miss Turner be reinstated in her position, where she gave five years service, or that adequate compensation be given her for the loss of her employment.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Mr. LOUGH,) Islington, WThe President of the Board has written to the Education Authority, asking for any further information and explanation they may desire to offer. He will let the hon. Member know the result of his inquiries.