61. Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked if the appointment of chief inspector under the National Health Insurance Commission (England) has yet been made; if this and any other appointments under the 1268 Commission are made by the Commissioners on their own responsibility or on the nomination of the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and whether, in the event of the position being still unfilled, it is proposed to promote one of the present inspectors with experience of the Act or to appoint another person?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Appointments to the staff of the Commission are made by the Commission, and not on the nomination of any Minister. The whole inspectorate of the Commission is only now being brought into existence, and consequently has to be recruited from Civil servants and others having no direct experience of the working of the Act.
Mr. F. HALLHas Mr. Edward Gower been appointed to the Commission, and, if so, has he any special qualifications, or is it a matter of private influence?
§ Mr. MASTERMANMr. Edward Gower is one of the ablest of the younger members of the Civil Service and has been appointed to that position.