§ 68. General MCCALMONTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland received a memorial, signed by over eighty representative Inhabitants of Whitehead, county Antrim, requesting them to institute an impartial inquiry before a chief inspector into the charges made by and against a woman teacher of twenty-two years' service; whether this teacher has since been dismissed without any proper inquiry having been made into her charges against the principals of the school which are contained in a sworn declaration; and whether he will represent strongly to the Commissioners the necessity of acceding 824 in the public interest to such an expression of local public opinion as is contained in the memorial?
§ Mr. DUKEI am informed that the memorial in question has been received by the Commissioners of National Education. The manager of the school was entitled to terminate the teacher's employment upon three months' notice, and he did so. The Commissioners have no power to compel him to continue the teacher's employment. She is still eligible for employment as a national school teacher. The complaints-made were, I am told, investigated by the senior inspector on the circuit.
§ General MCCALMONTAre we to understand that there is no power xo comply with the request of such a representative number of inhabitants as in this case; and am I to understand that an inquiry by the chief inspector has been held?
§ Mr. DUKEThere is no power in the Government to direct the Commissioners of Education to take a particular course. An inquiry was made some time ago by the chief inspector.
§ General McCALMONTWill the right hon. Gentleman make personal inquiries and make certain whether an inquiry was held?
§ Mr. DUKEI have a written report, which I read this morning, to the effect that it had been held. I cannot go behind that report.