§ MR. J. DEVLINTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether there is any reason why the Irish National School teachers should not be permitted to enjoy the same political rights and privileges as the teachers in Great Britain; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of having these same rights and privileges extended to them.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer to the Question on this subject which was put by the hon. Member for East Kerry on 13th May, 1907. As I then indicated, the Commissioners of National Education declined, for the reasons stated, to modify their rules relating to the civil rights of teachers. The responsibility for this decision rests entirely upon the Commissioners.