§ MR. N. MURPHYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Major Bredin, inspector under the Labourers Acts, gave evidence on behalf of several landowners at the arbitration inquiry recently held at Thomastown, county Kilkenny; and whether the appearance of this witness on such an occasion was in accordance with the terms of his appointment.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board have ascertained from Major Bredin that on one occasion he acted as valuer in an arbitration inquiry at a time when he was not engaged on the business of the Board. Major Bredin, who is a court valuer, has been employed by the Board to hold occasional inquiries under the Labourers Acts, and there is nothing in the terms of his employment as occasional inspector to prevent him from carrying on his ordinary occupation when not employed by the Board.