§ MR. J. DEVLINTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the circumstances
† See (4) Debates, clxxiv., 1417–20138 under which the appointment of Thomas Johnston, permit clerk, was recently made by the Works Committee of the Belfast Corporation; whether a young man named M'Ardle had been appointed to the position by the superintendent, and his appointment was cancelled because of his being a Catholic; whether he is aware that a member of the Works Committee stated at a meeting of the corporation that he had been canvassed to vote against any Papist getting the position; and whether the Local Government Board propose to interfere in the matter.(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board have no information on this subject beyond that derived from newspaper reports. The appointment in question is not subject to the control of the Board.