HC Deb 13 April 1885 vol 296 c1456
MR. LALOR

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If Government officials in Ireland who may have the appointment of their own assistants, who have no judicial functions, require such assistants to repudiate their legitimate political opinions, as exemplified by the action of Mr. White, county surveyor for Queen's County, in requiring his deputy, Mr. Harrison, to publicly disassociate himself from any connection with the Irish National League; and, if this be so, does the same practice prevail in England in reference to members of political societies, and in reference to the societies of Freemasons and Orangemen in Ireland?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

County Surveyors are the officers of the Grand Juries. With regard to officers under the immediate control of the Government, the practice is to require that they shall not take public or prominent part in any political matters.

MR. SEXTON

Are not County Surveyors appointed by the Executive?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

They may be appointed by the Executive, but they are the servants of the Grand Juries.