§ 90. Mr. IRVINGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether any of the appointments 1687 of resident local inspectors or assistant inspectors of fisheries made since August, 1914, have been to the permanent start' of the Board; if so, how many such appointments have been made; and how many resident local inspectors and assistant inspectors of fisheries now hold appointments of a temporary nature at the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries?
Sir A. BOSCAWENTwo assistant inspectors, non-established, have recently been appointed to fill vacancies in the pre-war staff of inspectors. The answer to the last part of the question is one inspector and six assistant inspectors.
§ 91. Mr. IRVINGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the reorganisation of the fisheries branch of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries has now taken place; whether the Board is taking over any of the details of fisheries administration at present performed by any other Government Departments; and what is the status and salary of the person appointed to take charge of the fisheries branch of the Board?
Sir A. BOSCAWENReorganisation of the staff is in progress, but it is not yet complete. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, but various suggestions to extend the functions of the Board are under consideration. The Fisheries Department of the Board has been placed under the direct control of the Parliamentary Secretary, who will act as Deputy-Minister of Fisheries, and the officer in charge of the Department has been promoted to the rank of Principal Assistant Secretary, with a salary of £1,200, rising by increments of £100 to £1,500, and will be entitled Fisheries Secretary to the Board.