§ Sir CHARLES HENRYasked the President of the Local Government Board, if he will instruct that, in the readjustment of districts in counties for sanitary supervision, those whole-time Medical Officers of Health, who previously to the rearrangements held appointments in these districts, should receive consideration in the selection for medical officers for the newly formed district?
§ Mr. BURNSThe selection of the Medical Officer of Health rests with the local authority making the appointment, and the function of the Local Government Board is limited to approval of the appointment. It is shown by experience that local authorities, when making fresh appointments upon the formation of new combinations, do give consideration to the claims of officers who have previously given whole-time service, and I doubt whether any general recommendation from the Local Government Board is necessary. I, of course, entirely agree with the view that, in making fresh appointments, the claims of any efficient officers who may be displaced in consequence of the new arrangements, should receive full consideration.