§ Mr. GINNELLnext asked the Chief Secretary whether the Board of National Education have brought under his notice the fact that teachers classed as first-of-first in 1900, and officially reported as excellent from that date to the present time, have, owing to a rigorous enforcement of a new rule of average attendance not applying to third-class teachers, suffered a diminution of income, and are in consequence now paid no more than third-class teachers; whether this discouragement of high-class teachers has the concurrence of the Board; and, having regard to the practice general in the public services of not allowing a new rule to reduce the income of high-class and satisfactory officials, whether he will have the benefit of this practice extended to the teachers in question?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that under the rules in force prior to 1900, teachers in receipt of first class salaries were liable to reduction of salary if the average fell below thirty-five for two consecutive quarters. Under the new rules, teachers in receipt of first grade salaries are liable to a reduction of salary when the average attendance falls below thirty-five for one calendar year. The Commissioners are unable to determine what the new rule is to which exception is taken.