§ Mr. HAYDN JONESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether an appointment has recently been made of a Chief Inspector of Fisheries to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries; if so, what are the scientific or technical qualifications of the gentleman appointed to this post; what is the salary attached to the post; and whether this post has been filled in accordance with the instructions of the President, dated the 25th February, 1919, which instructions state that in future every vacancy that calls for the appointment of a technical officer or inspector to the permanent staff of the Board shall first be advertised in the Press, and that no such vacancy shall be filled until due opportunity has been afforded to all suitably qualified candidates to make application for the post in question?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The gentleman appointed, Mr. H. S. M. Blundell, C.B.E., has no scientific qualifications, but, having been specially charged since August, 1914, as a voluntary worker on the Admiralty "War Staff, with matters affecting the regulation and maintenance of fisheries, and having during that period, as a member of the Fish Food and Motor Loan Committee and otherwise, worked in close co-operation with the Board, he is well qualified for the administrative and organising work he is called upon to perform. The salary attached to the post is £1,000 a year. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative; the appointment is not an appointment to the permanent staff of the Board. Mr. Blundell is appointed temporarily to assist the Board in the organisation of their coastal service.