§ MR. SULLIVAN (Westmeath, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that in several instances in Ireland the duties of Royal Engineer officers are being discharged by civilian engineers appointed without examination, he will state what are their qualifications and under what conditions of tenure do they serve; is he aware that these appointments have caused professional discontent in Ireland; and will he state if the appointments to the new Department of Military Works are to be made under the same conditions, or under the usual conditions of Civil Service examination and competition.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThere are a very few civilians temporarily employed in Ireland as acting engineers, and they will be replaced as soon as possible. They were engaged by the military authorities in Ireland who were satisfied that they possessed the requisite qualifications for the posts, which experience has shown to be correct. It is not known that professional discontent has been caused in Ireland. The composition of the staff of the new Works Depart-has not yet been definitely settled.