§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the names and qualifications of the recently appointed inspectors to the veterinary branch of the Agricultural Department for Ireland, also their experience as veterinary surgeons and where 1435 they were last employed; whether he can state the names and qualifications of the ansuccessful candidates; whether he appointment of a veterinary inspector is made by the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture and Technical Instruction; and, if not, can he give the name of the official who selects and recommends the candidates for appointment to the veterinary staff, and by whom finally is the appointment ratified.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) Two appointments have been made to the staff of temporary veterinary inspectors since November, 1902, namely, Mr. J. D. Whitty, V.S., Wexford, and Mr. J. R. Thompson, V.S., Londonderry. Mr. Whitty, during his professional course, was the winner of six gold medals; he practised at Drogheda and Strabane, and in the counties of Aberdeen, Forfar, and Midlothian; he was last employed at Brechin. Mr. Thompson has practised in the United States and in Londonderry. It would be contrary to practice to give the names of the unsuccessful candidates. The appointments were made by the Department.