HC Deb 27 October 1909 vol 12 cc1006-7
Mr. GINNELL

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, having regard to the expansion and growing importance of public accounts in Ireland, whether he has power and contemplates raising the standard, status, and responsibilities of accountants, appointing none to practice in a public Department except such as have passed a competitive or at least qualifying examination, and recruiting the official auditing staff exclusively from the qualfied accountants in the order of merit ascertained by competitive examination?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)

I have no power to alter the status or responsibilities of accountants. The qualifications of Local Government Board auditors were settled by a Treasury minute of 8th July, 1908, which was presented to Parliament. I see no reason for restricting the appointments as suggested.