§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland when Mr. Boyd, of the Chief Land Commission, was appointed to his present office, what experience had he of land valuing before his appointment; and what examination, if any, did he pass before being appointed.
§ MR. BIRRELLMr. Boyd was appointed an assessor upon the passing of the Irish Land Act, 1903, pursuant to the eighty-ninth section of that Act. He had been an Assistant-Commissioner since January, 1889, and his qualifications when appointed to that office are stated in the House of Commons Return No. 151 of 1902. When Mr. Boyd was appointed there was no examination for the post, nor is there now.