§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will explain why the system of examinations for temporary clerkships in the Congested Districts Board, Ireland, has been abolished; whether, in making future appointments, the Board will have preference for those men whose names were registered on their books to compete at the examinations; whether in the meantime the Board are filling vacancies by selecting men of good character and education, or who have had experience in public or commercial offices; whether 658 a sub-committee has been selected to make these appointments; and, if so, will he state how long it is intended to continue this system.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Board is in correspondence with the Treasury on the subject of the mode of making appointments to its staff. Should it be found necessary to hold examinations for appointment of temporary clerks, pending a settlement of the question, the Board will endeavour to procure the services of the best men available.