§ Mr. JOHN O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he will state what is the practice adopted for the appointment of horticultural inspectors under the Agricultural and Technical Department in Ireland; whether they are drawn from 2266W amongst the county instructors or chosen from outside by some other agency; whether, if they are drawn from the ranks of instructors, they are subject to an examination; if so, what is the nature of the examination; by whom is it conducted; are all Department instructors informed of the fact that such an examination is to be held, if not, why not; and whether a system will be established by which all officials in the service of the Agricultural Department will in future be notified to present themselves for examination by the Civil Service Commissioners for the filling of all vacancies in offices of ease and emolument or as what might be regarded as a superior position under the Department?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Department have at present no horticultural inspectors. When they propose to appoint such officers they will adopt the same course as in the case of their other inspectors.