MR. ENGLEDEW (Kildare, North)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will see, in the event of the office of Resident Medical Superintendent to the Ennis Lunatic Asylum becoming vacant before the county councils take over charge of these institutions, that temporary arrangements are made for the performance of the duties of that office, and that a permanent appointment is not made until the county councils are empowered to deal with the question?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo vacancy has arisen in the office of Resident Medical Superintendent of the Ennis Asylum, and I cannot, by way of anticipating such a vacancy, give an undertaking of the nature suggested in the question.
§ MR. W. H. K. REDMOND (Clare, E.)May I ask whether, if the vacancy does occur within a week or two of the County Council elections, the appointment will be left in the hands of the County Council?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI think we had better wait till the vacancy does occur.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am not aware of its being sent in. It has not been before me.