§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the President of the Board of Education the age, the qualifications, the schools and colleges at which educated, and the previous experience, if any, of Mr. R. J. M'Alpine, recently appointed without undergoing a competitive examination to the post of junior examiner in the Board of Education at a commencing salary of £250 a year; whether before making this appointment he carefully considered the question of promoting one of the 700 clerks in his Department to the vacancy; and, if not, whether it is to be understood that no one either of the 595 clerks in receipt of £250 a year or less or of the 105 in receipt of more than £250 a year is capable of performing the duties of a junior examiner?
Mr. PEASEMr. R. J. McAlpine is thirty years of age. He was educated at Granby Street Board School and Brae Street Organised Science School, Liverpool. In 1897 he became pupil teacher in the Ashfield Street Council School, Liverpool. During his five years of pupil-teachership he continued his education at the Clarence Street Pupil Teachers' College, Liverpool. In 1902 he entered the Day Training College at Liverpool and after completing the two years' course obtained the Board's Certificate. In 1905 he graduated with First Class Honours in History at Liverpool University. He was afterwards given a Research Fellowship and a University Fellowship at Liverpool. In 1907 he was appointed Assistant Inspector of Elementary Schools under the Liverpool Education Authority, a post which he held until his appointment to the Board in 1913. In regard to the second and third parts of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to replies which I gave to similar questions on the 3rd and 12th February last, copies of which I am sending him.