§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state what steps, if any, the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland have taken to ascertain that there will be no deficiency in the supply of monitors as the result of the proposed new rule that monitors in their last year in 1911 must take a language in addition to English? The hon. Member also asked (1) whether the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland will consult the opinions of Protestant school managers with reference to the new requirement that candidates for admission to training colleges shall undergo examination in one language in addition to English; (2) whether it is the intention of the Commissioners of National Education to enforce the new rule that monitors in their last year in 1911 must undergo an examination in one language in addition to English, in the case of monitors in Protestant rural schools where parents and managers are resolutely opposed to the teaching of Irish, and where no facilities exist for teaching either Irish or any modern European language?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI will answer these three questions together. I am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that the proposed regulation has reference to candidates for entrance to training colleges in 1911 and subsequent years. Monitors who have completed their service may become candidates for entrance to training colleges and, as such, would come under the regulation. Monitors are appointed on the conditions laid down in the Commissioners Rules, and the proposed regulaton would not affect the number of such appointments. The Commissioners do not intend to consult any particular body of school managers in reference to the proposed regulation, but they are prepared to consider any representations made to them on the subject. It is the present intention of the Commissioners to require one subject in addition to English from candidates 734 for training in 1911 and subsequent years. Facilities are given to monitors to pursue their studies in intermediate schools where they can acquire French or other languages, and they are encouraged to do so.