§ Mr. SUMMERBELLasked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that a vacancy caused at the Royal Gardens, Kew, by the promotion of the arboretum foreman is being filled by an outsider, notwithstanding that there are several sub-foremen under notice of dismissal owing to the recently imposed time-limit; and whether, in view of the fact that some time ago it was stated by the hon. Member for Saffron Walden, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, that promotion to higher positions was within the reach of the men employed, he will cause this grievance of the sub-foremen mentioned to be immediately remedied?
§ Sir EDWARD STRACHEY:The vacancy to which my hon. Friend refers has been filled by the re-engagement of a gardener who has had previous service at Kew and rose to the rank of sub-foreman. The work of the position in question is of a special character, and none of the sub- 1795W foremen at present in employment possessed sufficiently long experience of it to justify his selection.