Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked the Secretary to the Treasury if the vacancy recently caused in the position of controller of typists and shorthand writers at the War Office by the transfer of Miss M. B. Murby to another department has been filled by the appointment of Miss Roads, who was personal shorthand writer to the Secretary of State for War; if such appointment was made with the approval of the Treasury; and if there was no one among the staff of fifty women already employed at the War Office, and who entered the service by open competition, who was fit for the position of controller?
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§ Mr. MASTERMANMiss Roads was considered the best of the candidates for the post, and was accordingly selected to fill it on probation, to which the approval of the Treasury is not required. The post has been previously filled from outside those serving on the War Office establishment of typists. The capabilities of those so serving were very carefully considered on this occasion, but it was not found possible, with due regard to the public service, to depart from precedent in this respect. The typists have not entered the service by open competition.