§ MR. MEEHAN (Queen's County, Leix)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether in view of the rule that before a supervisor of Inland Revenue is promoted to the first class, his books must be examined and passed, he will say if the supervisor promoted over so many of his seniors was appointed before his books were examined; if he will give the date of the Board's minute giving special promotion to this official, also the date of the report on his books, and what explanation is offered if the former date precedes the latter; whether the Chairman and Board of Inland Revenue accept responsibility for this promotion, involving as it does the supersession of a hundred officials.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. MCKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.The books of the supervisor in question were examined in the usual way and were found to be extremely satisfactory. The report on them was dated the 18th January, and the letters announcing his promotion were issued the same day. The board's minute making the selection was dated the 18th Januarv, but effect was not given to it until the report on the books had been completed. The Chairman and the Board of Inland Revenue accept full responsibility for the promotion.