HC Deb 30 November 1916 vol 88 cc487-8
11. Mr. P. MEEHAN

asked the Chief Secretary if the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland have received any communication from the Irish Model School Teachers' Association in reference to fees collected in model schools and the distribution of the same; whether he intends taking any action in the matter; if he is aware that up to 1900 all model school head mistresses received a rent allowance of £20 per annum from the Treasury, and that the rent allowance paid to head mistresses appointed since 1900 is taken from the school fees instead of being defrayed by the Treasury; and whether he will recommend that this rent allowance of £20 and the increase of £10 per annum to all newly appointed head mistresses should be paid by the Treasury and not out of the school fees, and so permit the allocation of the entire school fees to the teachers?

Mr. DUKE

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies to his question of the 26th July last and to that of the hon. Member for Dublin (St. Patrick's Division) on the 31st July, which contain full information upon this matter.

Mr. MEEHAN

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it fair that those appointed since 1900 should be placed in a worse position than those appointed before that date?

Mr. DUKE

That is a matter of argument. The complete answer to the whole question is in the full replies to which I have referred the hon. Member.