§ Captain LOSEBYasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will have inquiries made into the appointment of a secretary to the Hampshire local war pensions committee; whether this vacancy was adver- 697W tised in the public Press; whether the appointment was actually sanctioned before the vacancy was advertised; whether the committee advertised that preference would be given to a disabled officer or man; whether the- post was given to a civilian at a higher salary than that advertised; whether he will explain why public money should be silent on advertising an appointment that is not really vacant; whether the appointment made was with his sanction; and if, in certain eventualities, he will consider the advisability of suspending this committee?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe secretaryship to the Hampshire local war pensions committee has been filled by the appointment of a disabled officer who was chosen for the post as being the most suitable of the 1,500 applicants who answered the advertisement. I have confirmed the appointment.