§ MR. T. SMYTH (Leitrim, S.)On behalf of the hon. Member for Longford, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the proposed appointment of assistant female teachers in Irish national schools after the 1st July, is voluntary or compulsory on the part of Catholic managers; and whether, in the case of managers who object to the arrangement, there will be special inquiries held before any compulsory order is made.
MR. BRYCEthe Commissioners of National Education inform me that the appointment of junior assistant mistresses will be made only in cases in which the local managers apply for them. There is no distinction in the case of religion.