HC Deb 09 December 1919 vol 122 cc1159-60W
Sir F. HALL

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if certain inspectors formerly employed by the Ministry of Munitions have been transferred to the Department of Overseas Trade; whether this coarse was adopted to avoid the necessity of dispensing with their services or on the pound of their special knowledge of trade conditions in foreign countries; and if he will state the total number of officials transferred from the Ministry of Munitions to the Overseas Trade Department, their names and qualifications for their new positions, and who was responsible for examining their qualifications?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

Only one officer in the Department of Overseas Trade was formerly an inspector in the Ministry of Munitions. This officer, who was in the Aeronautical Inspection Department of the Ministry, is employed in the Engineering Sub-section of the Department of Overseas Trade, where special knowledge of engineering is required. Three other officers, formerly in the Ministry of Munitions, are now serving in a temporary capacity in the Department of Overseas Trade. The qualifications of such temporary officers are examined either by myself or by senior officers of the Department. The first officer mentioned, prior to his appointment in the Ministry of Munitions, had twelve years' experience as commercial manager successively of two-firms of consulting engineers. Of the remaining three, one officer possesses eight years' experience in the employment of a firm of Manchester calico printers, and four years with a firm of cotton machine engineers; the second was employed for six years in one of the large railway companies, and for eight years in the Singer Manufacturing Company, subsequently sorting with two well-known engineering firms in New South Wales; the third was apprenticed for five years to a firm of engine builders and electrical engineer and afterwards had eight years' experience with engineering and electrical engineering firms in this country, besides four years' engineering experience in Australia.