§ MR. SEXTON(for Mr. DWYER GRAY) (Dublin, St Stephen's Green)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any appointment has yet been made to the vacant Veterinary Surgeonship to the Royal Irish Constabulary; whether a rule has been made restricting the selection to Retired Army Veterinary Surgeons, and thus excluding all the regular Veterinary Surgeons practising in Dublin; whether men retired on pen- 1312 sion are presumably incapacitated in some degree, either through age or infirmity; whether men who have gone through a regular training in the veterinary art on the modern system are not subjected to much more severe tests as to qualification than were in force when any man who is now a Retired Army Veterinary Surgeon became qualified; and, whether the Government will reconsider the rule referred to?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. HOLMES) (Dublin University)The right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary has requested me to answer this Question. No appointment has yet been made to the vacant Veterinary Surgeonship to the Royal Irish Constabulary. Although I believe this appointment has been hitherto held by a retired Army veterinary surgeon, I understand that there is no rule restricting it to that class. The whole matter of the appointment is at present under the consideration of my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary; and I think I can say that he will not allow any consideration or practice to prevent the selection of a thoroughly competent and efficient person.