§ MR. MACALEESEI beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, as representing the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if he is aware that the medical officer of health under the poor law guardians of Belfast Union is an alderman of the Belfast County Borough, and in the latter capacity is also a member of the board having control over the asylum management; and is it consistent with the rules of the Local Government Board that officers of the ratepayers in any capacity in receipt of salary should be permitted to act as honorary representatives of the same ratepayers, and take an active part in advocating and supporting increase of official salaries.
§ MR. ATKINSONThe facts appear to be correctly stated in the first paragraph. As regards the second paragraph, the gentleman in question being a paid officer of the board of guardians would 1412 seem to be disqualified by the terms of the Local Government Board's Order of the 17th January, 1899, but the question is one to be decided in a court of law upon the validity and construction of the Order, and is not a matter for the decision of the Executive.