§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that advertisements have been published in certain newspapers offering school appointments to the highest bidders; and whether the Commissioners of National Education propose to take any steps to bring this state of affairs to an end?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that they are not aware that advertisements of the nature indicated have recently been published in the Press, but if the hon. Member will be good enough to furnish particulars of any case inquiry will be made.
§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that there 1759W are cases in which teachers who have been promoted to a higher grade as far back as April, 1910, have not yet received the salary of their grade; and whether it is the intention of the Commissioners of National Education to pay the salary of the higher grade from the date of promotion?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Members to the replies given to the numerous questions asked on this subject.
§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked whether one of the inspectors under the National Board was recently dismissed because he was a member of a Protestant missionary society; what rule did he violate; and does the same law apply to Protestants and Roman Catholics with regard to being members of religious associations?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. JOHN WALSHasked how many masters promoted by the Commissioners of National Education, Ireland, to each section, respectively, of first grade during the two financial years ended 31st March, 1910, and 1911, have not yet been paid their increments and arrears; how many masters have been advanced to each section, respectively, of first grade during the current financial year, and how many of these in each section, respectively, have not yet been paid their increments; what sum is saved to the Treasury in consequence; and on what grounds is a preference made in paying these men?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe following Table gives the information asked for in the first two paragraphs of the question:—
Date of Promotion. Grade to which promoted. Number of teachers who have not yet received grade salaries. Number of cases to be considered at next meeting of the Commissioners for award of salaries. 1st April, 1909 1 (1) 3 3 1st April, 1910 1 (1) 12 1 1st April, 1910 1 (2) 27 8 1st April, 1911 1 (1) 4 — 1st April, 1911 1 (2) 20 — Total … 66 12 A sum of about £750 would be required to provide for the arrears of salary to 31st December, 1911, of the fifty-four teachers 1760W still affected by the limitation of the standard numbers in their respective grades. As regards the final paragraph, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his similar question on 4th instant.