§ MR. J. M. WHITEOn behalf of the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy Burghs (Mr. J. H. DALZIEL), I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a new Chief Inspector of Factories has been appointed; whether, before any appointment was made, the claims of the Superintending Inspectors were considered; and, whether it is not usual to promote officers in the Department to the higher posts?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolI have appointed a new Chief Inspector of Factories. I should have preferred to find him among the officers already in the Department, but after the most careful consideration I was able to give to the claims of all the existing inspectors I felt obliged to come to the conclusion that the appointment which I have made was the best in the interests of the public service. The three officials who have previously filled the post were appointed from inside the Department, but the conditions attaching to the office were designedly framed to admit of outside appointments being made.