§ MR. BIGGARasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is a fact that thirty-six Local Inspectors have 650 recently been appointed by the Irish Board of Works compared with twenty-two in 1880; what reason is there for the increase; whether old employés have been passed over and young inexperienced persons have been appointed; and, whether one of those recently appointed is son of Colonel French, lately suspended from his office of Inspector in the Detective Department in Ireland; and, if so, what is the special qualification of that young gentleman for the office?
§ MR. COURTNEYSince April, 1883, there have been 36 Inspectors employed by the Board of Works in connection with loans to occupiers under the Land Act of 1881; this number is no more than what is required to keep pace with the work; no old employés have been passed over; but the appointments have been carefully made from a list of over 200 applicants. The Mr. French referred to is not the son of Colonel French; he is an able and experienced engineer.