47 and 48. Brigadier-General BROWNasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether any extra officials are to be employed on valuation of land values before the 1st January, 1932; if so, what qualifications are required of them and how are they selected;
(2) whether any extra officials are being taken on before the 1st January, 1932, for the purpose of being trained in land valuation; and, if so, how is their training being carried out?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEIt will be necessary to recruit a staff of temporary valuers, valuation assistants, and draughtsmen. Candidates for appointment as valuers or valuation assistants must have had experience in the valuation of land, and applicants for appointment as draughtsmen must be capable land surveyors; the selection will be carried out by the Board of Inland Revenue, and candidates will, on appointment to the Valuation Office, be instructed in the method of carrying out their duties.
Brigadier-General BROWNConsidering the importance of the system of valuation which has to be carried out, are no regulations being issued or training given to those about to carry out the work?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI have already said that these men, on appointment, will be instructed by the Inland Revenue in the method of carrying out their duties.
§ Sir A. POWNALLCan the hon. Gentleman say approximately how many officials are being taken on in this way?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI could not say without notice.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the hon. Gentleman make an announcement of the condi- 1240 tions under which valuers will be appointed by the Treasury?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI think that the conditions are in the answer.
§ Mr. HANNONSurely some public announcement will be made?
§ Major GLYNWhat grade will these officers fill, what will be their appropriate approximate salary, and will they be temporary?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down that question, I will look into it and see if I can give the information.