§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the President of the Board of Trade by whom was the appointment of additional divisional officer of the Labour Exchange in Ireland made; why it was that an Englishman was appointed to the position over the heads of all the Irish staff; and whether an Irishman competent for the position could not be obtained in Ireland?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)The vacancy in question was caused by the promotion of an Irishman to a higher post in London. The officer selected for the vacancy was considered to be the one best fitted for the post.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it not the case that the Irishman appointed to London has been placed over the heads of English clerks?
§ Mr. BUXTONWe like to appoint the best men we can get.
§ Mr. LYNCHWas the vacancy advertised in the Irish newspapers, and were fully qualified Irishmen invited to apply in writing?
§ Mr. BUXTONI am not quite sure whether or how it was advertised. The matter was very carefully considered, and the officer selected was considered the best fitted. If the hon. Member will put down a specific question I will try to answer it.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYIf an Irishman was appointed over a staff in England is that not all the greater reason why an Irishman should be appointed in Ireland?
§ Mr. BUXTONThat may be very good argument.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked how many new labour exchanges are being opened in Ireland; and whether the divisional officer there is recommending outsiders as managers for the positions in them over the heads of the existing staff, who are men of experience, and in which the others can have none, and who will receive larger salaries if such appointments be made?
§ Mr. BUXTONIt is proposed to open twelve additional labour exchanges in Ireland in the near future, and in several cases members of the existing staff will be placed in charge of them. The qualifications of members of the existing staff are always considered first when appointments of this nature have to be made.
§ Mr. LYNCHBut are not Irishmen better acquainted with local conditions in Ireland than Englishmen?
§ Mr. BUXTONAll that is taken into account. We desire always to get the man best fitted for the post.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether there are any lady attendants for the women's departments in each labour exchange in Ireland; if not, will he consider the appointment of female officials as better suited to look after the business of these departments than male officials; can he say why it is that they have not been appointed; and whether he will take steps to see that they be appointed in future?
§ Mr. BUXTONAll but two of the Irish labour exchanges have women officers upon their permanent staff. The two smaller exchanges, which at present have no such officer, are visited by the woman supervising officer for the division. The desirability of appointing a woman to these exchanges in the event of the work justifying such a course, will not be overlooked.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYIs it not absolutely necessary to have a lady attendant appointed to all exchanges?
§ Mr. BUXTONI think my answer covers that. If there is any further point I shall be glad to answer it.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYDo I gather from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that at the small exchanges there is no lady attendant?
§ Mr. BUXTONI can only read my answer again.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYWill the right hon. Gentleman see that there are no exchanges without lady attendants to look after the women's branch?
§ Mr. BUXTONCertainly, in the event of the work justifying such an appointment.