§ MR. O'DOHERTY (Donegal, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state why, on the introduction of the grading system, national teachers with no unfavourable record were not placed in grades corresponding to their classification at that time; whether in schools where teachers after years of hard study succeeded in obtaining first division of first class, and where proficiency is recorded as good on every occasion, even very good on some occasions, the principal teacher has been placed and kept in the lower grade while assistants in the same schools have been awarded increments on every occasion where they became due; whether, in such cases, the former classification does in any way aid in obtaining the corresponding grade; and whether the Commissioners can consider these matters with a view to the removal of what is an injustice to this hardworking body of teachers.
§ MR. CHERRYThe Commissioners of National Education have furnished me with a very full statement which cannot well be compressed within the limits of an oral Answer. With the hon. Member's permission I will furnish a printed Answer with to-night's Votes.