§ MR. LEA (Londonderry, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If Messrs. Gregory and Wilson, and Colonel Davys, have been appointed Sub-Commissioners under the Land Act; whether there are other ex-Sub-Commissioners whose past ser- 498 vice has been longer than that of these gentlemen; upon whose recommendation Colonel Days was appointed; and, whether the Land Commission has been consulted in these appointments, or its opinion obtained?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: Sir, I am aware that the three gentlemen named have been appointed, and it is quite possible that there are other gentlemen whose past services have been longer than theirs. In one instance this certainly is the case; but seniority cannot be regarded as the sole ground for consideration in making these appointments. The Government, however, cannot discuss the grounds on which they make their appointments, which are made with a full sense of their responsibility in the matter, and they endeavour to secure the services of the best available men. I may remind the hon. Gentleman that Mr. Wilson was one of a list of nine persons specially recommended by himself.
§ MR. LEAsaid, he did not send in any such list. He would remind the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that he had not answered the latter part of the Question.
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANNo, Sir; the Land Commission is not directly consulted upon these appointments.
§ MR. MAYNE (Tipperary, Mid)Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Colonel Davys has had a serious dispute with his tenants, who have, within the last week, obtained large reductions in the Land Courts at Roscommon?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANI am not aware, nor do I think it my duty to inquire into this matter.