§ DR. AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, referring to the vacancy in the clerkship of the union of Castlebar, and to the vacancies in the clerkships of some of the district asylums in Ireland, he will suggest to the Local Government Board the desirability of deferring the appointment to such offices until the county and district councils have an opportunity of dealing with such appointments?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe appointment of clerk of the union ought not to be postponed, as the work of balancing the accounts and making all preparations for the completion of business up to the appointed day is exceptionally heavy, and should, if possible, be undertaken by a person who will continue in the office after that date. The appointment of officers of lunatic asylums is not under the control of the Local Government Board.