§ CAPTAIN DONELANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Irish Land Sub-Commission has been appointed 649 for a fixed term of three years; whether this rule will apply to all future appointments; and, with what object has the change been made.
§ *MR. G. W. BALFOURPresumably the hon. Member refers to the Rule made by the Land Commission on the 13th March last, and which has been laid on the Table. That Rule provides that Temporary Assistant Commissioners appointed by the Lord Lieutenant after the date thereof and before the 31st day of March, 1902, shall hold office, subject to the provisions of the Land Act of 1881, up to and including the 31st day of arch, 1902, save that where any such Temporary Assistant Commissioner has attained the age of 65 years he shall not be appointed or re-appointed for a continuous period greater than one year. It is clear from the wording of this Rule that its application is limited to appointments made before the date mentioned. The object of the Rule is to give as long a tenure of office to Temporary Assistant Commissioners as is consistent with the convenience of the Service.