§ Mr. WATTasked the Lord Advocate whether the post of chairman of the Prisons Commission has now been filled; if so, by whom; and will he say what are the qualifications of the new chairman which led to his appointment?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLAND (Mr. Arthur Dewar)The post has been filled by the appointment of the Master of Polwarth, who is well known throughout Scotland for his activities in social and philanthropic work, and who, in addition to his general knowledge of public affairs, has, during the last 12 years, acquired a large experience of kindred administrative duties in the unpaid office of chairman of the Lunacy Board for Scotland.
§ Mr. WATTCan the hon. Gentleman state whether the particular claim of the gentleman to this post in the eyes of the Secretary for Scotland is that he had been three times a Conservative candidate?
§ Mr. MORTONI should like to ask the hon. Member whether it would not have been better for the Government to have appointed a non-politician to an office of this sort?
§ Mr. DEWARThey have not appointed a politician at all; they have appointed a gentleman well qualified for the post.
§ Mr. MORTONIs it not true that this gentleman fought two or three elections, and does not that make him a politician?