§ 19. Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether for the past two years Irish national school teachers who have been appointed to the commission of the peace have sat on the bench and adjudicated without protest, let, or hindrance by the Irish Education Commis- 1602 sioners; what reason is given for the Commissioners' order of 10th October last prohibiting such teachers from performing the duties of magistrates; in what way the performance of such duties outside school hours is construed into a business or occupation inconsistent with Rule 88 (a); whether the order is really directed against a teacher recently appointed to the commission of the peace and whose championship of the teachers' claims made him obnoxious to the Commissioners; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, he will use his influence to obtain the withdrawal of the order?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Commissioners of National Education made no formal order with reference to teachers acting as magistrates until 10th October, 1916, but I am informed that they declared their disapproval of such action as early as August, 1915. The Commissioners have to administer the rules, and they have decided for reasons which I stated on the 14th instant, in answer to the hon. Member for Kerry (West), that performance by a teacher of the duties of a magistrate is, even outside school hours, a contravention of Rule 88 (a) of the Code, inasmuch as, in their judgment, it tends to impair the usefulness of a teacher by placing him in a position which may bring him into conflict with local parties and cause friction likely to injure the interests of his school. I have brought to the notice of the Commissioners the recent discussion in the House on this subject.
§ 28. Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the hardships to Irish national teachers entailed upon the reduction of their salaries; due to the falling off in the attendance, he can make arrangements so that, pending the consideration by the Treasury of the proposals of the Commissioners of National Education, these teachers may receive their pre-war salaries?
§ Mr. DUKEI have so many serious duties that if I were to go about endeavouring to use my good offices, I would generally find that I was wasting my time
§ 29. Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a war bonus will 1603 be allotted in the case of Irish national teachers whose salaries exceed £3 a week; and, if not, whether, as some of these teachers suffer to the same degree as others on account of the general rise in prices, he will reconsider the matter?
§ Mr. DUKEI am not aware of any grant of war bonus in other quarters which would warrant the adoption of the hon. Member's suggestion.