§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many Irish land clerks have been employed by the Congested Districts Board since the passing of the Land Act of 1903; and how many clerks and assistants other than land clerks have been employed by the Board in connection with the purchase and management of estates.
MR. BRYCEI am informed that since the passing of the Land Act of 1903, the Congested Districts Board have engaged one land clerk, who was in the employment of the vendor of an estate which they had purchased. They have also engaged eight other clerks to assist their land inspectors. Two of these have since resigned. Fifteen other temporary clerks have been appointed for estates business in the Dublin Office. The Board have called up for competitive examination every applicant for a temporary clerkship in their Dublin Office, and with one exception all the posts of clerk to land inspectors were filled by competitive examination of persons who had applied for employment.
§ MR. SLOANIs it not the fact that during the debate on the Act of 1902 these land clerks were promised a preference for appointments, provided they made themselves fully qualified, and has not that pledge been completely ignored?
MR. BRYCEI do not know if that is so. I will look into the matter if the hon. Member will indicate when the pledge was given.
§ MR. SLOANIt was given in debate. There was a distinct promise that these land clerks should be given employment, and yet they are now being 186 made to stand aside for the sake of other people.