§ 101. Dr. McDONALDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the examinations held in the course of forestry training are truly competitive; whether some candidates have obtained positions without fulfilling the recognised standard; and whether some of the selected candidates have done no active war service while others who have served abroad have been passed over?
§ Mr. FORESTIER-WALKER (for the Forestry Commission)I have been asked to answer this question. With regard to appointments as forest officers under the Forestry Commission, no examinations are held by the Commission, examinations for forestry degrees or diplomas being conducted by the universities and colleges where training in the subject is given. There is no examination standard the attainment of which entitles a candidate to an appointment as forest officer under the Commission, as all the qualifications of candidates, including not only university or college qualifications, but also practical experience, are reviewed by the Commissioners before any appointment is made. May I refer the hon. Member in this connection to my reply on the 17th May last to the hon. Member for Carnarvonshire.
With regard to appointments as foresters or foremen under the Commission, the same course is followed 410 before any appointment is made, but at the Commission's schools for forest apprentices periodical competitive examinations are held as a test of progress. Some of the selected candidates for the positions of forest officer or forester have had active war service abroad, while others, owing to age or for other reasons, have not served abroad. It is not possible in the interest of the service to pass over every candidate who has not had war service abroad.