§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what are the existing regulations for the appointment of auditors or inspectors to the Irish Local Government Board, and is there an age limit?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURUnder the 3rd section of the Act, 35 and 36 Vic, cap. 69, auditors and inspectors of the Irish Local Government Board are appointed by the Board, with the sanction of the Treasury. Auditors are required to pass an examination by the Civil Service Commissioners in certain subjects, which are set forth at page 114 of the 27th Report of the Commissioners. They must be over 25, and under 40 years of age when appointed. There is no prescribed qualification, or age limit, in the case of the general inspectors, but I may observe that five of the eight inspectors now holding office gave evidence of their fitness for the position when they were temporarily in the service of the Board, and prior to their permanent appointment. The qualifica- 174 tion of medical inspectors is laid down by section 3 of the Medical Charities Act of 1851. They must be practising physicians or surgeons of not less than seven years' standing.