§ Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Commissioners of National Education have in existence a rule whereby they are empowered to dismiss female assistants, on the average daily attendance reaching fifty, in order to make way for literary assistants; and whether, having regard to the discouraging effect on education and the harsh treatment to assistants under such a rule, provision will be made to retain them or compensate them for their services?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware that such a rule exists, but certain modifications have recently been made in the rule in1274W the interests of the teachers, and I will be happy to furnish the hon. Member with a copy of the modifications. I am not in a position to hold out hopes of compensation or reinstatement to junior assistant teachers who lose their position owing to the operation of the rule in question.