§ 15. Sir H. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade the home address of the North Midland regional factory inspector and that of his assistant; the date on which the post was approved; the date on which it was filled; and the date on which the person appointed was registered by the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour?
§ 19. Mr. William Brownasked the President of the Board of Trade, at what date steps were taken to find a suitable candidate for the position of assistant to the factory space inspector for the North Midland Region in Nottingham at £450 a year; and whether the person now appointed is the landlord of the inspector who made the recommendation and has since approved his services?
§ Mr. DaltonI presume that both Questions refer to the North Midland Regional Factory Premises Controller and his assistant, Mr. W. H. Wigley, who was the subject of the reply I gave on Tuesday last. The address of both officers is "Fairlawn," 19, Private Road, Nottingham, on which premises I understand that Mr. Wigley's mother has leased a flat to the Controller. The need for an assistant was strongly urged by the Controller on 31st August last, and the post was approved on 29th September; the vacancy was notified to the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour in London on 2nd October; Mr. Wigley was registered on 7th October with the Appointments Department at Nottingham, which forthwith submitted his name to the Board of Trade for consideration. He took up duty on 12th October, since when, as I have already informed the House, he has carried out his duties satisfactorily.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs it not rather strange that this gentleman did not register with the Appointments Board until five days after the Board was asked to find somebody? As the man on whose recommendation he was appointed was living in the same house for a long time, does it not sound as though it was rather a job?
§ Mr. DaltonNot in my judgment, although I defer to the hon. Gentleman in such matters. In my judgment, it was a sensible, quick decision, taken in time of war, which any practical business man would take in war or peace.
§ Sir H. WilliamsAlways to give a job to the lodger?
§ Mr. W. BrownIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that month by month in the journal of the Leicester Chamber of Commerce there is published a long list of ex-officers desirous of appointments after service and who are either over age or have been invalided out? How can he justify this casual appointment of the acquaintance of a controller who happens to live in the same house? Is he aware that this questioning will go on until the appointment is cancelled?
§ Mr. DaltonI have no intention of cancelling the appointment of an officer who is doing good work in assisting us to carry out important duties with regard to storage in factory premises.
§ Mr. Speakerrose—