§ MR. BIGGAR (Cavan, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What is the age of Sir John Lentaigne, Inspector of Industrial Schools; what time he is able to give to the daily discharge of his duties in that office; whether he has applied for an assistant; and, whether it is intended to provide one; and, if so, who will be appointed?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)Sir John Lentaigne, who is a tried and valuable public servant, has now, I understand, reached his 83rd year. He has recently applied for an assistant, and the Irish Government had hopes that they might be able to make arrangements by which, while securing for some little time longer the aid of his large experience in the working and management of reformatories and industrial schools, they might, to some extent, relieve him of the labour of actual inspection in remote localities by the temporary appointment of an assistant for which there is power in the Act. The Treasury, however, with whom the financial question rests, have not seen their way to sanction the cost that would be involved in this arrangement, 1701 and we have, therefore, now to determine what is best to be done for the public interest. This is under our consideration at present.
§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary, whether he could state how many posts Sir John Lentaigne held at the present time?
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYsaid, he was unable to answer the Question.