§ 34. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the qualifications of Sir Alexander Rouse for acting in the capacity of chief engineer, Home Office air-raid precautions; and the salary paid to him?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane)Sir Alexander Rouse, C.I.E., had a distinguished career in the Public Works Service in India, and whey he retired from that Service in 1933 he was chief engineer of the Central Public Works Department. His salary, which he draws in addition to a pension from Indian revenues, is at the rate of £1,000 a year.
§ Mr. StokesIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this Department is now full of retired Indian civil servants, who are not considered competent to carry out the biggest constructional work required at the present time, and is he aware that there is great perturbation in the industry?
§ Mr. MabaneNo, Sir.