HC Deb 08 December 1942 vol 385 cc1426-7
27. Mr. W. Brown

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Sir George Mahon has been engaged by his Department as a temporary principal in the Commercial Relations and Treaties Department; and what special qualifications he possesses to make him preferable, at the age of 31, to older and experienced civil servants?

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Dalton)

Sir George Mahon is employed by my Department as a temporary administrative officer. He was selected for the post he now holds in view of his business experience.

Mr. Brown

May I ask by whom he was selected, whether the machinery of the Ministry of Labour Central Register was used, and if not, how does it come about that Sir George Mahon was appointed at the age of 31?

Mr. Dalton

This particular officer has been in the public service since January, 1941, and appointments within the Board of Trade, as in other public Departments, are made after consideration of the qualifications of all the available candidates.

Mr. Brown

I asked whether the machinery of the Central Register was used before this appointment was made.

Mr. Dalton

No, Sir, it was not used before the appointment was made, because the officer was already in the public service; he was already in the Board of Trade.

Sir P. Hannon

Is this not one of the most competent officers in the Department?

Mr. Dalton

I have so many efficient officers in the Board of Trade that that is rather an embarrassing question.

Mr. G. Strauss

Without knowing anything about the qualifications of this man, ought we not to welcome the appointment of young men?