§ Mr. RAPERasked the Minister of Pensions why the publicity officer recently appointed by him was not engaged through the Joint Substitution Board, according to Treasury instructions; why a non-service man was selected; what efforts were made to secure a qualified ex-service man; whether the post was advertised, and, if not, how was this official obtained; whether, at the present time numerous trained journalists, fully qualified for this post, who have served with His Majesty's forces, are at present unemployed; and will he undertake to make inquiries through the Joint Substitution Board with a view to obtaining an ex-service man for this post?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy hon. Friend appears to be under some misapprehension. The officer in charge of the Publicity Branch of my Department was selected from several candidates so long ago as April, 1918, before the Joint Substitution Board was established. Having regard to the intimate knowledge of pension matters which that officer has acquired and to the uniformly good service which he has rendered both to my Department and to the ex-service community, I am not prepared to recommend any change.