§ Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) what are the sources of advice available to him in selecting staff for the senior professional posts in the new organisation in his Department and, in view of concern among the professional staff of the three Service Departments as to their chances of being selected, if he will set up a selection committee including the directors general of works of the four 116W existing directorates, to choose staff for posts above the superintending grade;
(2) what action is being taken to ensure that, in the process of merging the three Services works organisation with that of his Department, the benefit of experience acquired in any of them is not lost, and that the best techniques and methods evolved in each organisation will be applied to them all; what consultations have been held with the professional heads of the four organisations; whether there have been joint consultations; and whether they have included the professional head of the War Office organisation which was formed within the last five years following the report of the Weeks Committee.
§ Mr. RipponI have no fixed source of advice, but I can say that I consult as widely as I think fit. I do not propose to set up special machinery of the nature suggested, but I will certainly expect to have the assistance in these matters of the senior officers who will be coming from the Service Ministries.