Mr. NUGENTasked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether he is aware of the reason why the late Mr. John Forrest resigned his position as auditor to the National insurance Audit Department; and whether, seeing that an interval of some weeks elapsed between the date of Mr. Forrest's resignation and the date of his death, he will explain why the balance of salary due to him at the date of his resignation was withheld by the Department until after the date of his death?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe late Mr. John Forrest resigned his appointment as auditor in the National Insurance Audit Department on accepting an appointment under the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society. The short delay in paying the balance of salary was due to a discussion with Mr. Forrest as to the return of certain confidential papers belonging to the Department. These papers were returned shortly after Mr. Forrest's death.
Mr. NUGENTasked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division), as representing the National Insurance Audit Department, whether he will state the name, age on appointment, and date of appointment of each of the original appointees to the post of inspector of audit who is now serving in that capacity; whether he will state the special qualifications put forward by each when a candidate seeking appointment to that post with a salary of £550 to £700 per annum attaching to it; and, seeing how these inspectors have carried out their duties since appointment, will he say whether 417W little or no steps were taken to verify the accuracy of the special qualifications so put forward?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe particulars asked for are as follows:
Name of Inspector of Audit. Age on Appointment Date of Appointment. Special Qualifications. O. W. Arnold … … … 40 28th June, 1912 … Incorporated accountant. R. H. Bindlosa … … … 32 28th June, 1912 … Incorporated accountant. A. H. Hales … … … 37 28th June, 1912 … Incorporated accountant. W. A. Middloton … … … 36 28th June, 1912 … Chartered accountant. J. Sanderson … … … 42 28th June, 1912 … Incorporated accountant. W. E. Wall … … … 34 28th June, 1912 … Incorporated accountant. The qualifications of candidates were investigated by a Committee of Selection presided over by Sir John Kempe, the late Comptroller and Auditor-General.
Mr. NUGENTasked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Rewdley Division) whether, seeing that Mr. Walsh, an Irish-born junior assistant auditor in the National Insurance Audit Department, passed a medical examination prior to this entry into the Department, and that his conduct and efficiency during the first year of his service were such that the usual increment of salary was granted to him at the end of that year, he will explain why Mr. Walsh was ultimately compelled to leave the Department; whether he will state the number of British-born junior assistant auditors who were compelled to leave under similar circumstances; and whether Irish-born officials serving in the Department have been subjected to unfair discrimination in reality because of their nationality?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe services of Mr. Walsh were dispensed within consequence of unfavourable reports from the Treasury medical referee and Mr. Walsh's immediate official superiors. The place of birth of all officials is not on record in the Department. The answer to the last part of the queston is in the negative.