§ Mr. TICKLERasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn by the Institute of Municipal Engineers to the irregular manner in which the Sevenoaks Urban District Council has recently filled the appointment of surveyor; if so, whether the Board will take immediate steps to compel the local authority to declare the appointment vacant and the appointment made in accordance with the provisions of the Public Health Act, 1875, and insist upon a local authority not appointing to paid offices an ex-member of that authority who resigns with the intention of making an application for the appointment; and whether the Board will institute an official public inquiry into such cases?
Mr. FISHERMy attention has been drawn to the case referred to. The appointment of a surveyor is, however, a matter in which the local authority have uncontrolled discretion, and I have no power to compel them to declare the appointment vacant. In the circumstances, I fear I could not usefully direct a local inquiry to be held with respect to the matter.