§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the examinations for county surveyorships in Ireland only 140 marks out of a total of 1,000 are allotted to county works including architecture; and whether he will suggest the desirability of paying greater attention to subjects directly connected with the duties of the surveyors in conformity with the practice pursued by the Incorporated Association of Municipal and County Engineers in England.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURThe fact is as stated in the first paragraph. The examinations for county surveyorships in Ireland will no longer be conducted on the system of open competitions, as formerly. No marks will be assigned to the separate subjects, and the examination will henceforward be directed solely to ascertain that each candidate has attained such a standard of proficiency on the whole programme of subjects prescribed as will satisfy the Civil Service Commissioners.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANDo I understand that such subjects as chemistry, experimental geology and mineralogy are no longer to be included?
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURI am not aware that they are included now.