§ Mr. IRVINGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the seven new posts of resident local inspectors or assistant inspectors of fisheries were filled as a result of public advertisement or of an examination held by the Civil Service Commissioners; if not, what method of selection was adopted by the Board in making these appointments; whether the Board attach any importance to scientific qualifications; and, if so, how many of the gentlemen recently appointed to the seven posts referred to possess a degree in science at a British university?
Sir A. BOSCAWENAll the appointments referred to are temporary, and were made during the War, when the Board's choice was necessarily confined to men not required for military service. As far as possible the officers were chosen for their knowledge of fishery questions or aptitude for the special work required, though none of them, so far as the Board are aware, possess a scientific degree from446W a British university. The Board attach great importance to scientific qualifications, but in these cases the duties are administrative or executive rather than scientific.