§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down County, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the sudden change in the age limit for candidates for Irish Land Commission clerkships has inflicted inconvenience on candidates who had been reading for some time for this examination; and whether arrangements will be made to have the time postponed for the beginning of the new rule, or to have an examination as near as possible to the end of the year in order that those who have prepared under the old rule may have an opportunity of competing.
(Answer.) The hon. Member does not appear to have been correctly informed of all the facts. In February last regulations were issued altering the limits of ago and subjects of examination for third-class clerkships in the Irish Land Commission, as prescribed by regulations dated June, 1895. Representations wore made to mo that candidates who had been reading for the examination under the superseded regulations would be placed at a disadvantage unless substantial notice of the proposed changes were given, and an arrangement was made by which, in the event of an examination being held before 1st January, 1903, it should be conducted under the older regulations of June, 1895. This was not an unimportant concession to candidates such as are referred to in the Question, and the Government is not prepared to extend it.—(Irish Office.)