§ 66. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury 1365 whether the staff needed for the machinery of the taxation of land values will be drawn from the Civil Service; if so, on what system of selection; and whether, in the case of any members of the staff who are engaged from outside the Civil Service, their work will be regarded as of a temporary character or whether, in view of the quinquennial revaluation, they will be attached permanently to the Civil Service?
§ Mr. PETHICK - LAWRENCEThe additional staff needed in connection with the taxation of Land Values will be engaged on a temporary footing; the professional element will be drawn from sources outside the Civil Service, and the non-professional staff through the channels of the Joint Substitution Board or its divisional selection committees, or the Employment Exchanges. It is too early to forecast what increase in the permanent establishment may be rendered necessary. It is anticipated that each quinquennial valuation will necessitate the temporary engagement of additional staff for a short period.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLECan the hon. Gentleman give a rough estimate of the total additional number of staff required?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEThe answer has already been given.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that ex-service civil servants who have been retrenched will be considered first of all when making those appointments?
§ 69. Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND (for Sir A. POWNALL)asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether consideration has been given to the question of housing the extra staff that will be required for land valuation; and, if so, what arrangements it is intended to make?
§ Mr. PETHICK - LAWRENCEThis matter is under consideration.