§ MR. BARRIE (Londonderry, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps are now being taken to settle the question of the appointment of referees in all cases of dispute between managers and teachers of National Schools in Ireland.
§ MR. BIRRELLAs I have repeatedly stated, the Commissioners of National Education are of opinion that it is desirable that a referee should be available in the case of dismissal of teachers, and two out of the four forms of agreement between managers and teachers provide for the appointment of a referee. The Commissioners, however, have no power to compel the adoption of a form of agreement which contains that provision.