§ MR. GRAYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether, in view of the great increase of work thrown upon the Irish Local Government Board owing to the distress in Ireland, it is the intention of Government promptly to fill the vacancy upon the Board; and, if so, whether it is intended to appoint a gentleman with previous knowledge of the work of the Department?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERSir, the question of permanently filling up the vacancy in the Local Government Board in Ireland has not been formally decided. Arrangements, however, are in course of being carried out with the object of temporarily strengthening the Board, and I am in hopes that the services of a gentleman of extensive experience in the administration of the Poor Law may be secured for that purpose.