20. Mr. CATHCART WASONasked if the Chief Secretary is aware that, by a circular issuing from the Board of Education, London, prescribing that every person claiming to be recognised as a certificated teacher must have a certificate from a registered dental surgeon stating that such person has undergone the necessary dental treatment, whether such order applies to Ireland, and if the Irish Education Department was consulted thereon; and whether, in view of the hardship that would be inflicted on many applicants in Ireland, where there happened to be no registered dentists, and the slur inflicted on gentlemen who have long enjoyed the public confidence as dentists, although unregistered, he will make further inquiry into the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Board of Education have no jurisdiction in Ireland, but 516 if Irish young men and women seek to obtain the Board's certificate they must comply with its requirements. I understand, however, that the Board are prepared to give special consideration to cases where no registered dentist is available. The matter is not one in which I have any power to interfere.