§ Mr. KILBRIDEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he could state the nature and duties of the position occupied by the late Mr. James Harper in the Department of Agriculture; was his post intimately connected with the fruit-growing industry, requiring a thorough knowledge of the growing, packing, grading, and marketing of the fruits grown in Ireland; whether the vacancy had been filled, if so, by whom, and what were his qualifications and previous knowledge of the soft fruit trade; and whether a change had been made in the duties of the office?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYMr. Harper was in the first instance employed as an expert in fruit drying, but was subsequently appointed to represent the Department in connection with the marketing in Great Britain of Irish agricultural produce in all its various classes. No change has been made in the duties of the office. Mr. Sidney Smith, who has had a wide experience in the provision trade, has been appointed to the vacancy.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEMay I ask if Mr. Sidney Smith had the smallest bit of knowledge of the soft fruit trade, and as a matter of fact if he was not a commercial traveller for a Liverpool firm in the dry fruit trade?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThat is only part of his present duty.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEAre we to take it that the Department thinks that a proper man to be employed in the soft fruit trade is a man whose only knowledge of the trade is in the dry fruit trade as a traveller in Liverpool?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYMy hon. Friend will notice that his present duties extend far beyond that.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEWill the right hon. Gentleman state what his other duties are?