§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Commissioners of National Education issued a Circular in November, 1913, which intimated that holidays as distinguished from vacations were to be restricted to certain holy days recognised by the Roman Catholic Church; is he aware that Presbyterians do not recognise saints' days and other Roman Catholic holy days; and would the Commissioners, instead of intimating the particular holidays on which a school may be closed, fix a certain maximum of holidays in the year, permit the managers and teachers of the various denominations to select the days which best suit denominational and local arrangements?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that a Circular was issued by them in November, 1913, in connection with their rules regarding the maximum vacation that can be taken in any year, but there was no reference to Roman Catholic or other Church holidays in the Circular. The Commissioners allow managers to close their schools for reasonable causes, and they do not consider that any change is necessary in their rules on the subject.