HC Deb 19 May 1884 vol 288 cc649-50
MR. BIGGAR

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is a fact that thirty-six Local Inspectors have 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. COURTNEY

Since 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.