§ 54. Mr. HOGGEasked whether Sir John Struthers, secretary to the Scottish Education Department, stated on 21st November, 1912, before the Royal Commission on the Civil Service, that his Department had a proposal before the Treasury to discontinue the appointment of junior inspectors and to appoint men as full inspectors at a more mature age; and can the Secretary for Scotland say when the proposed change is likely to be made?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe evidence before the Royal Commission is not yet published, and I am informed by the Chairman of the Commission that it is at present confidential. I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made upon the subject on the 7th August in the House, which was to the same effect as that attributed to Sir John Struthers. My hon. Friend's difficulty in understanding the position arises from his overlooking the fact that there are three classes of inspectors. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it not the case that Sir John Struthers has himself said that one class of the inspectors to whom the right hon. Gentleman referred are not inspectors, but clerks to inspectors?
Mr. McKINNON WOODNo, I do not know what he has said about the three classes of inspectors. There are three classes. I cannot, without notice, answer questions about what officials say.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us how my hon. Friend got it?
§ 58. Mr. HOGGEasked whether the Scottish Education Department is responsible to the Scottish Office or to the Vice-President of the Scottish Education Department; whether there are any officials of the Scottish Office who pass judgment on the doings of the Scottish Education Department; and, if not, why does the arrangement with this particular Office differ from that of every other Scottish Department?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe officials of the Scotch Education Department are responsible to the Vice-President of the Department. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. The position of each Department is determined in accordance with the statutory provisions relating to it.