§ MR. J. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that the bulk of salaries paid under the Board of Works in Ireland goes to the adherents of Episcopalianism; whether he is aware that of £36,493 so paid in a Catholic country only £9,793 goes to Catholics; whether he can explain how it is that, in appointments by competitive examination, Catholic candidates obtained more than half, and in appointments by nomination less than one-fifth; and whether he will investigate the matter with a view to preventing appointments by nomination from becoming a monopoly of a denomination forming barely a tenth of the population.
§ MR. RUNCIMANAs I have already stated on more than one occasion, the Board of Works inform me that they have no information as to the religious beliefs of their employees. Appointments by nomination are made solely on the merits of the candidates, and no inquiry is made into their religion.?
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDIf the appointments are made solely on merit can the hon. Gentleman explain how it is that while in competitive examinations the Catholic candidates obtain one half of the posts, in appointment by nomination they get less than one-fifth?
§ MR. RUNCIMANI can offer no explanation unless it is that more Catholics compete.
§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether a letter addressed by the Secretary of the Board of Works to the Civil Service Commissioners asking for an increase in the number of nominated appointments has been answered, and, if so, what was the reply?
§ MR. RUNCIMANasked for notice of that Question.