§ MR. HALPINI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenent of Ireland whether a relieving officer of some years' standing and having a shop of which his wife has charge should be required by order of the Local Government Board to resign his position or give up his shop; and whether Article 20 of the Local Government Board refers to future and not to long-standing, appointments.
§ MR. BIRRELLUnder Article 29 of the General Regulations of the Local Government Board, no person can be appointed to be a relieving officer who is engaged in retail trade of any kind. In the opinion of the Local Government Board, the same reasons which render this a disqualification for appointment require that any relieving officer who elects to engage in retail trade subsequent to his appointment should resign his position.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)But why disqualify a man when he has nothing whatever to do with the shop?
§ MR. BIRRELLThe difference between the man and his wife in a matter like this requires very careful investigation. I think the rule is a very desirable one.