§ 21. Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONasked the Chief Secretary whether he has received any complaint as to the status and emoluments of lay assistants in convent schools; whether such assistants are deprived of pay during vacations; and whether he proposes to take any steps to inquire into their position?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware that a resolution as to the position of these teachers was passed at a recent meeting of the Teachers' Congress. I understand that they are paid by the managers of the schools who employ them and not by the Commissioners of National Education who are therefore unable to say whether they are deprived of pay during vacation. As regards the last paragraph of the question I have nothing to add to the reply given to the question asked on this subject by the hon. Member for East Down, on the 6th instant.
§ 32. Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONasked whether any classes, and, if so, how many, were held during the past year by the Department's officers for the training of members of convents or monasteries exclusively; and what was the cost of such classes?
§ Mr. RUSSELLNo classes such as those referred to were held by the Department's officers. Thirteen classes for the training of secondary teachers being also members of the convents were held last year. The cost of these courses of instruction to the Department was £356 1s., being the fees of instructors and examiners appointed by the Department, other charges being borne by the convents.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman say if the money so charged for the training of members of convents and monsteries appears in the accounts furnished to the House?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThey were voted moneys.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEWas it particularly stated to the House at the time that the moneys were voted for the purposes for which they have been used?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Estimate was down for discussion, and that question was not asked. I take it that there was no discussion upon the point because it was not raised.