MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Mr. Lane, the temporary Fishery Commissioner recently appointed in Ireland, was required to pass any examination to test his fitness for the office; and, if not, will he be required to pass an examination before he is permanently appointed; and whether he can say what qualifications 919 or practical experience in fishing industry this gentleman has had, or in what industrial pursuit he has been engaged during his life.
§ The following question was also on the Paper:—
§ *MR. SHEEHAN (Cork, Mid)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state now long it is intended to continue Mr. Lane in the position of temporary inspector of fisheries in Ireland; and, seeing that, in addition to his qualifications on account of having assisted Mr. Green in a survey of the deep sea fisheries, the development of the Irish fisheries requires the care and attention of inspectors possessing expert knowledge, whether he will take steps to secure that a gentleman of practical experience and proper training shall be elected to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr. Cecil Roche.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI will at the same time reply to the question of the hon. Member for Mid Cork. Examinations are not held for the post of Fishery Inspector. Mr. Lane was not, therefore, examined. The question of making a permanent appointment has not arisen. I have already stated that Mr. Lane has special knowledge of deep sea and inland fisheries. He was not appointed as an expert in fisheries, but mainly because of his business training and experience, and with a view to assist the Department in the development of the fisheries on their commercial and industrial side. The fisheries branch of the Department is already sufficiently strong in expert officers.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENThe right hon. Gentleman has not said in what industrial pursuit this gentleman has been engaged during his life.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI believe he has been in business as a brewer.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs it intended that he shall pass any test examination before he is permanently appointed?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That has nothing to do with the question.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe question of a permanent appointment does not arise. I decline to commit the Government to make the appointment permanent.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs it not a fact that civil service clerks have to pass an examination before appointment?
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member is now arguing the question.