§ MR. J. P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether county surveyors are an Imperial or Governmental appointment, although paid out of the local rates; whether the Grand Juries have neither the power of appointing nor dismissing them; can he define what their position will be under the Local Government Bill; and, if they 749 are still an Imperial appointment, will the local authorities be called on to pay their salaries as were the Grand Juries?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURCounty Surveyors are at present appointed by the Lord Lieutenant, subject to the approval of the Grand Jury. The persons appointed must have been previously examined at an open competitive examination. The salaries of these County Officers are paid out of local rates. They may be suspended or dismissed by the Grand Jury, with the consent of the Lord Lieutenant. Under the Local Government Bill the County Councils will have the power of appointing or removing County Surveyors with the concurrence of the Local Government Board, and they are to have such qualifications as may be prescribed by that Board. They will continue, as heretofore, to be remunerated out of local rates.