§ Mr. PETOasked why four recent appointments to the Labour Department, Board of Trade, Messrs. Drummond, Burnett, Mitchell, and Cummings, at salaries of £1,950 per annum, have all been given to former officials of trades unions; and why the 800,000 men belonging to the National Free Labour Association have no representation in the Department, or the 10,000,000 workmen in this country who belong to no trades union?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe facts are not correctly stated in the question. Mr. Burnett was appointed twenty-five years ago, and retired in 1907; Mr. Drummond was appointed eighteen years ago; and Messrs. Mitchell and Cummings in 1907 and 1908, respectively. These officers were appointed because they were considered to be best fitted by reason of their experience and ability to perform the duties required of them. I may add that they have fully justified their selection. There is no question of the representation of any association in the Department.