§ MR. DEASYasked the Secretary to the Treasury, If the appointment held by Major General James, R.E. as Assistant Commissioner of Public Works in Ireland, is a permanent appointment; if the statutory constitution of the Board directs that it shall consist of the Commissioners only, and how, when, and by what authority the place of Assistant Commissioner was created; do the functions of the Board stand permanently in need of this Assistant Commissioner; is Mr. Lefanu, one of the Commissioners, about to retire; and, is it intended to appoint Major General James in his stead, with the result that the Board would be composed of two General Officers and one civilian?
§ MR. COURTNEYSir, the appointment held by General James is temporary, and its continuance is matter for consideration. There can be no doubt of the power of the Treasury to create such an office. I am glad to say the public are in no danger of losing the services of Mr. Lefanu; and it is, therefore, un- 1160 necessary to answer the closing portion of the Question.