§ 45. Mr. PRETYMANasked the Prime Minister whether he will give a pledge that persons engaged in the unofficial Land Inquiry will not be appointed to salaried positions under the State unless they enter the public service through the ordinary channels by examination?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I think the contingency against which the hon. Member seeks to guard is highly improbable, but I do not see why I should give the pledge for which he asks.
§ Mr. PRETYMANWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to kindly make inquiry and use his influence so that these persons shall not be given any preference over other persons who have not been engaged in this inquiry?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThey will not be given any preference on that ground.
MARQUESS Of TULLIBARDINEWould it be sufficient if the right hon. Gentleman inquired into their former character?