§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what is the number of the inspectors and other officials employed by the Board under the Contagious Diseases of Animals Acts and under the Small Holdings Acts, respectively; what qualifications are required of such officials prior to their appointment; whether all such posts are open to competition after public advertisement of a vacancy or are filled by nomination and, if so, by whom; what are the maximum and minimum salaries paid to such officials; and what is the aggregate amount of public money so applied?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir E. Strachey)Seventy-two inspectors, in addition to the office staff, are employed under the Diseases of Animals Acts. Their salaries range from £150 to £700 a year. They are appointed by nomination of the President of the Board, who satisfies himself that they have had training and experience likely to qualify them for the discharge of their duties. The veterinary inspectors must be members of the Royal Veterinary College. They are required to present themselves for examination to the Civil 606 Service Commissioners before they are placed on the establishment. Two commissioners, two assistant-commissioners and seven inspectors are employed under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act at salaries ranging from £300 to £1,200 a year. They are nominated by the President, who satisfies himself that they "are possessed of a knowledge of agriculture," as required by Section 2 (1) of the. Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908. The estimated charge for 1910–11 for the salaries of the officers above-mentioned is £28,854.
§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTWhat special qualification does the President of the Board require in inspectors appointed under the Diseases of Animals Act?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI have already informed the hon. Member in a very long answer.
§ Mr. MARKHAMWill the hon. Gentleman circulate his reply, as none of us heard it?