HC Deb 29 May 1905 vol 147 cc86-7
MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state what were the special qualifications possessed by Mr. Arthur M'Clintock that induced the Government to appoint him to the office of public trustee under the Land Act of 1903; what were his place of education, previous occupations, and experience of finance; what are the names, place of education, salaries, and previous experience of the persons since appointed in the department; and how many of them were appointed by open competitive examination.

MR. WALTER LONG

In reply to the first part of the Question, I beg to refer to the Answer given by my right hon. friend the Member for Dover to a similar Question on February 8th, 1904.† † See (4) Debates, cxxix., 592. I have no further information on the subject. The Estimates for the current year make provision for an allowance of £350 to the public trustee to enable him to obtain clerical assistance. The selection of clerks is left to him, and the two officials at present employed were not appointed by competitive examination. One of them served some years in the Land Commission, and the other had experience as an accountant.

MR. MACVEAGH

Are we to understand he has a right to appoint his staff without any examination?

MR. WALTER LONG

Yes, the clerical staff is entirely appointed by him.

MR. MACVEAGH

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the Questions what were his place of education, previous occupations, and experience of finance; and what are the names, place of education, salaries, and previous experience of the persons since appointed in the department.

MR. WALTER LONG

So far as I know, there is no record kept?

MR. MACVEAGH

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the particulars I have asked for are kept in the establishment register of every department?

MR. WALTER LONG

I believe not.

MR. MACVEAGH

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman it is so. I will put another Question down.