§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many land clerks have been added to the staffs of the Irish Land 187 Commission since the passing of the Land Act of 1903, and how many of them are second divisional clerks, assistant clerks, third class Land Commission clerks, abstractors, and solicitors' clerks, respectively; and will steps be taken to give effect to the promise of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Dover; and to see that a fair proportion of Irish land clerks who have a special knowledge of the Irish land system will not be overlooked in favour of those less qualified.
MR. BRYCEThe Land Commission inform me that two clerks who had previously had considerable experience in land agents' offices have been appointed to the staff of the department since the passing of the Irish Land Act, 1903. One of these gentlemen holds the position of estate management clerk in the Estates Commissioners' office, and the other is assistant to the clerk in charge of the department for the collection of interest in lieu of rent. Neither of these officers belongs to any of the grades of clerks mentioned in the question. The applications of all persons who seek employment in the office of the Land Commission are carefully considered as vacancies arise.
§ MR. DELANYIs it right that these land clerks should be recruited from rent offices in Ireland?
MR. BRYCEsaid he had given what Answer the information in his possession enabled him to give, but he would look further into the matter if desired.