§ ' MR. O'SHAUGHNESSYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction amongst inspectors of national schools in Ireland, occasioned in no small degre by letters frequently sent to them by the 1548 senior secretary of the National Board; whether he is also aware that up to a few years ago this official was merely a clerk in the Education Office; and whether, in view of this fact, he will say by whom was he appointed to the office, and what were the qualifications that obtained for him that position.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that they are not aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst their inspectors from any cause. The senior secretary of the Board was appointed in 1900. He was a clerk in the service of the Commissioners, and for the preceding ten years had been private secretary in succession to three Resident Commissioners, including the present holder of that office. The secretary in question was appointed by the Board, who inform me that the qualifications which he possessed were great experience and knowledge of the business of the Board and conspicuous ability in the discharge of the various duties entrusted to him.