§ MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the protest of the Dundalk Board of Guardians and other public bodies to the refusal of the Local Government Board to select a Roman Catholic for the post of lady inspector of boarded-out children, although 90 per cent. of such children are Roman Catholics; will he explain why preference was given to a Protestant for such an office; and what qualifications, experience, or credentials did the lady appointed possess, and on what basis was the selection made.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe qualifications of the lady appointed to this position were set out in my reply to the Question put on the 15th instant by the hon. Member for the Leix Division 790 of Queen's County.† There appears to be some misunderstanding as to the duties of the inspector. She will have nothing whatever to say to the education of the children, nor will she have the selection of nurses. The authority of the Guardians and of the Ladies' Committees will in no way be lessened or impaired by her appointment. She is not empowered to make any order with respect to the children; she can only make recommendations concerning them to the Guardians and the Committees. The inspector appointed was not selected on account of her religion, which was not even inquired into, but because of her previous experience and fitness for the post.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYOn what Vote will the salary appear?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Vote for the Local Government Board.