§ 21. Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Home Secretary whether he has received numerous communications urging the absolute necessity of paying Irish national teachers a war bonus in order that, having regard to the prices of food, they may have reasonable means of sustenance for themselves and their families; and whether he will recommend the Treasury to pay their salaries monthly?
Mr. SAMUELThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As stated by the late Chief Secretary in reply to a question of the hon. Member for North Wexford on the 1st March last, I fear there is no prospect of a war bonus being granted to the Irish national school teachers. As regards the latter part of the question, I have, arranged to see a deputation of the teachers on this subject tomorrow.
§ Mr. P. MEEHANHave the the teachers in England received a war bonus?
§ 34. Mr. WHITEasked whether any, and, if so, how many teachers, male and female, respectively, got a war bonus added to their salaries from Imperial or local funds?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. A. Henderson)The salaries of teachers on the staffs of schools under the Board's jurisdiction are not paid directly out of Imperial funds; and I have no information as to the extent to which the local education authorities and governing bodies of schools have granted war bonuses to the teachers in their employment.
§ Mr. HENDERSONI have already answered that part of the question by saying that I have not the information.
§ Mr. FIELDWill the right hon. Gentleman ask for the information and give it to those Irish Members who require it?
§ Mr. HENDERSONI will consider that.