§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can explain the reasons why Miss Freeman was not appointed instructress in dairy keeping and butter making in county Clare by the Agricultural and Technical Department; whether he is aware that Miss Freeman had been elected to the position of dairy instructress by the County Clare Agricultural and Technical Committee in November, 1902, and that Miss Freeman obtained first place and a silver medal at an examination held at the end of a course of training in the Munster Dairy School, Cork, in 1898, and later a pass with distinction in the University College, Reading; and whether, under all these circumstances, he will see that her appointment is sanctioned, and so remove the deadlock now existing between the Department and the County Committee.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) Miss Freeman was one of ten candidates 352 for appointment as instructors in butter making under County Committees in Ireland who were examined on 6th April at Cork by the Department's Inspector. The Inspector reported that none of those examined on that occasion possessed the necessary qualifications, and as all appointments under county schemes are subject to approval by the Department the selection of Miss Freeman by the County Committee could not be sanctioned. The gaining of the medal and of the certificate referred to is no indication of qualification for the appointment in question. The holding of a diploma or certificate will not exempt a person from examination by the Department.