HC Deb 20 December 1906 vol 167 cc1718-9
Dr. COOPER

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board what are the conditions governing the appointment of an assistant auditor of the Local Government Board; whether the appointment is by nomination; whether it is required that the person appointed shall have passed any examination in or possess any special knowledge of accounts; whether an assistant auditor is paid, and at what rate; and whether he will consider the advisability of requiring in future that all candidates for this position shall have passed some examination in accounts before appointment.

MR. JOHN BURNS

The existing conditions for the appointment of an assistant auditor are that the applicant shall be a chartered or incorporated accountant, or a barrister or solicitor, or have undergone a course of training with a district auditor, or have served in the Department of the Local Government Board. Appointments are made by the Board from persons who satisfy these conditions, and appear to t hem to be in other respects suited for the office, but no nomination is necessary. Nor is the passing of a special examination required; but I will take note of the suggestion that such a requirement should be made. The salaries of the assistant auditors range from £300 to £450 a year.