§ 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 parents, and that she did not recognise the authority of any one 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 PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.I have communicated with the Rotherham Borough Council, and I am informed that technically Miss Turner was not dismissed, but that the borough council took advantage of the clause in her agreement under which the agreement might be terminated by either party at any time, without assigning cause, on the payment of £5. Her wages were also paid up to date. No interference is possible on the part of the Board.