Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked the Secretary of State for War if, in filling the position of typist-controller at the War Office, the permanent staff of the Department has on two occasions been passed over in favour of persons from outside; whether the claims and qualifications of the present superintendents were fully considered before Miss Roads was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by Miss Murby's transfer; what are the respective duties of typist-controller and typist superintendents; and what duties, apart from the routine work of taking down letters from dictation and typing, were performed by Miss Roads in her previous position of private shorthand writer to the Secretary of State?
§ Colonel SEELYWhen the War Office Staff was transferred to the new building and the various sections of the typists were amalgamated in one branch, it was considered expedient to create a new appointment of controller for regulating the distribution of the work amongst so large a staff and for disciplinary purposes. The capabilities of the superintendents then serving in the branch were fully considered, but it was held to be necessary, in the best interests of the service, to select a candidate from outside. On the occurrence of the recent vacancy the capabilities of the staff were again considered, but it was again found impracticable to select a member of that staff. The superintendents take a share of the work of typing and control the work of the various subsections, and the controller exercises general supervision. She is not required to do typing work herself. Miss Roads held the position of confidential clerk to the Secretary of State.