§ Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary if the principal teacher of the Irish national school, Roll No. 4,414, whose promotion to first division of first class dates from the 1st April, 1892, has been admitted to the establishment of first of first class in the pension office; if this teacher, on being promoted to the first section of first grade last year, was informed that, owing to the rule relating to standard numbers, no increase of salary could be given; if teachers with less service than the teacher in question, who were promoted to the same grade from 1903 to 1908, received an immediate increase in salary according to Rule 105 (a); and, if the Treasury allowed this rule to be observed during the years mentioned, can he state on what principle it is now violated as regards the teacher referred to in the question?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that Mr. Michael Quigley, the teacher referred to, was placed in the first division of the first class from 1st April, 1891. He qualified for promotion to the first section of the first grade on 1st April, 1912, but owing to the limitation of the number of masters entitled to receive salary at the rate attached to that grade, and as the number fixed has now been reached, it has not been possible for the Commissioners to grant him the corresponding increase of salary up to the present. The other teachers referred to who were promoted between 1903 and 1908 received immediate increases of salary under the terms of Rule 105 (a) because there were then vacancies in the first section of the first grade.