HC Deb 13 February 1913 vol 48 cc1162-3
19. Mr. NEWMAN

asked the number and salaries of road surveyors and deputies in the county of Kerry at the present time as compared with the number employed under the grand jury system prior to 1898; whether the Chief Secretary is aware that in August of last year the Kerry County Council passed over the names of two duly qualified candidates for the post of deputy and gave the appointment to the son of an existing deputy surveyor though without the neces- sary qualification; whether the Local Government Board refused to sanction the appointment; and whether, in view of the importance of tourist traffic to county Kerry, the Local Government Board will insist on the appointment of officials holding the necessary qualifications irrespective of their creed or nationality?

Mr. BIRRELL

There are now in county Kerry one county surveyor, with a salary of £1,000 a year; one assistant surveyor and clerk, with £160 a year; and five assistant surveyors at £150 a year. In April, 1898, there were one county surveyor at £730, three assistant surveyors at £80 a year each, and three others, with salaries of £70, £50, and £40 a year, respectively. The Local Government Board have no information as to the number of qualified candidates for the vacant position of assistant surveyor last year. The county council appointed the son of one of the existing assistant surveyors, who had for some time previously been assisting his father in his work; but, as he had not the necessary qualifications, the Board requested the council to proceed to a new appointment. The council asked that the selected candidate should be allowed an opportunity of qualifying as assistant surveyor at the next examination, and the Board, having made inquiries as to his experience and qualifications, consented. Pending the result of the examination, the Board do not propose to take any further action in the matter.

Mr. NEWMAN

Is it not the fact that this appointment was vacant as long ago as last summer, and that it has been kept open all that time?

Mr. BIRRELL

I went into the case, and the gentleman really had very considerable external qualifications. There is no doubt that in many respects he was a very competent person, but he had not the technical qualification which the Board thought necessary for the post, and it stands over for him to be tested by examination.

Mr. NEWMAN

How long has the position to be kept open for this gentleman to learn his work?

Mr. BIRRELL

The examination will be held very soon indeed.