§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Evesham Town Council passed a resolution on 10th November that all future vacancies under the council should be filled by qualified ex-service men or women, if such could be found; that the post of surveyor and sanitary inspector became vacant in December last; that the corporation issued an advertisement asking for applications for the post, to which sixty-seven replies were received, fifty-nine being from ex-service men; and that the applicants were eventually reduced to four, three ex-service men and one civilian; whether he is aware that the 440W civilian Vas appointed to the post though the technical qualification and the salary asked by one of the ex-service men were similar to the civilian; and what steps he proposes to take in order to secure that preference shall be given to ex-service men in accordance with the policy adopted by the Government?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe facts are as stated in the question, but there was an irregularity in the appointment, and I have requested the Council to re-advertise the vacancy.