§ Major GLYNasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Local Government Board in Scotland have adopted any recognised system of defining the qualifications of applicants and of examining such persons when making the appointments of inspectors and other officials charged with the duty of consulting with various local authorities in respect of housing and town planning; and whether a list of all such inspectors and officials may be issued to show the date of their appointment, the previous occupation of each gentleman prior to accepting the offer of the Local Government Board, and the present salary and allowance attached to each appointment?
§ Mr. MUNROIn making such appointments as are referred to, the Local Government Board have regard to the nature of the duties to be performed and the qualifications of applicants to carry out these duties. Before any such appointments have been made, the applicants are interviewed by the Board. The following is a list of the present officers of the Board whose duties include that of consulting with local authorities in respect of housing and town planning. Further appointments are in contemplation:
Board in Scotland are yet in a position to state when the simplified series of Regulations regarding town planning will be issued, as was promised in a letter, dated 30th January, from the Local Government Board office in Edinburgh; whether at the present time the only Regulations at present in force in 1435W Scotland are those issued under the Town Planning (Scotland) Act, 1911; and whether he will consider what steps can be at once taken to assist all local authorities bringing forward the schemes for housing and town planning under modern conditions in anticipation of forthcoming legislation, and to ensure that no needless delay takes place through antiquated procedure stifling public enterprise?
§ Mr. MUNROThe Local Government Board are not yet in a position to state when the simplified aeries of Regulations regarding town planning will be issued, as the amended Regulations will require further revision in the light of the provisions as to town planning which will appear in the Scottish Housing Bill. It is accordingly considered desirable to await the passing of that measure before the amended Regulations are issued. The only Regulations at present in force are those issued in 1911 under the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909. The Board are taking every step to assist local authorities with their housing and town-planning schemes, and have made certain proposals for the increase of their staff for this purpose.