HC Deb 02 March 1948 vol 448 cc210-1
61. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many appointments have been made to the Civil Service in the past 12 months without public advertisement of the vacancies.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Nine appointments requiring the issue of certificates of qualification were made without public advertisement in the 12 months beginning 1st February, 1947.

Major Legge-Bourke

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why these posts were not advertised?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Because they were all of a specialist nature. In addition, in accordance with the particular Sections of the Acts under which they were made, publication of the appointments was made in the "London Gazette."

Major Legge-Bourke

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of those appointed?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I will consider that. There is no secrecy about this. Six of the people concerned went to atomic research with the Ministry of Supply.

Mr. W. J. Brown

May we take it that there is no intention whatever of departing, except in these exceptional cases, from the normal method of advertisement?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Certainly. The authority has been given by Parliament in the past for appointments of this kind to be made without advertisement.