70. Mr. F. HALL(Dulwich)asked the Chief Secretary if Mr. Alfred Tennyson, who has recently been appointed an inspector under the Irish Local Government Board, was in the Civil Service before his appointment, if so, what position did he occupy; what are the salaries attached to his previous and his present post; if he was not formerly employed in the Civil Service, what was his employment before he received his present appointment; on whose recommendation the appointment was made; and whether it was confirmed 760 by him; and, if not, who was responsible for sanctioning it?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo such appointment as the one referred to in the question has been made. The gentleman named has been for some time, and still is, employed in a temporary capacity under the Irish Local Government Board. With regard to the remainder of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the similar question of the hon. Member for North Westmeath on 13th February, 1913.
§ Mr. BIRRELLA temporary position is not obtained after an examination. This particular gentleman, I can assure the hon. Member, can pass any examination to which he would be likely to be submitted. He has already obtained the distinction, which both I and the hon. Member might envy, of passing a very severe examination for a clerkship in the House of Lords; and I think that many hon. Members would fail to pass that examination.
Mr. F. HALLHow is it that the right hon. Gentleman knows so much about the qualifications of Mr. Alfred Tennyson?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI know all about him, because the gentleman in question happens to be my stepson.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all clerkships in the House of Lords are given on the nomination of the chief clerk?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo. The hon. Member is in an extraordinary state of ignorance. The nomination to which he refers is only for the privilege of presenting himself for examination.