§ MR. SAMUEL YOUNG (Cavan, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Local Government Board for Ireland have, without assigning any specific reason for their action, twice refused to sanction the appointment by the Bailieborough Rural District Council 513 of Mr. Thomas Daniel as architect to their improvement scheme under the Labourers Acts; whether he is aware that Mr. Daniel, under a resolution appointing him as architect of the council, carried through four improvement schemes to the satisfaction of his council and without objection or complaint from the Local Government Board; whether he was recently appointed architect to the council in connection with repairs to existing cottages and for other purposes, with the consent of the Local Government Board; whether he is aware that a medical certificate of Mr. Daniel's physical fitness has been sent to the Board; and whether he will see his way to ask the Board to reconsider their decision.
§ (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board were unable to approve of Mr. Daniel's appointment because he failed, when called upon, to furnish evidence that he possesses the qualifications necessary to enable him to discharge all the duties which would devolve upon him, and the Board have so informed the rural district council. The Act of last year requires the Board to give their approval to such appointments. It is not the fact that the Board have made no complaint regarding the work carried out under Mr. Daniel's supervision in former schemes. Mr. Danielhas recently been appointed by the council to supervise the repairs of cottages already built, but the Board's approval is not required in such case. The Board have been furnished with a medical certificate as to Mr. Daniel's physical fitness for the postof architect. If Mr. Daniel is willing to submit himself for examination the Board will arrange for his examination.