§ Mr. G. JONESasked the First Commissioner of Works what are the qualications of Mr. Milne for his proposed appointment to the ancient monuments branch of the Office of Works; and whether, in view of Treasury Circular numbered E2,392/21, which affirms the undesirability of reinstating civil servants who have previously resigned, as did Mr. Milne, and of the repeated assurances of the Government that it would in all cases of new appointments safeguard the rights of temporary civil servants and ex-service men, he will cause an inquiry to be made as to why Mr. Milne has been selected?
§ Sir J. BAIRDThe special qualifications required for the work of the ancient monuments and historic buildings branch of the Office of Works, and which Mr. Milne possesses, include a considerable experience of all bending movements on masonry piers, a highly specialised mathematical knowledge of stresses and strains and of other problems arising out of this method of construction in dealing with ancient structures, knowledge of work incidental to the testing of materials, investigation of new methods of construction, new materials, plant, etc., an experience of costing systems and ability to control directly employed staff. The circumstances were considered by the Treasury to be sufficiently exceptional to justify reinstatement, and in view of the fact, stated in my reply on the 16th instant, that the appointment is in the best interests of the public service, I see no reason for my making any further inquiry.