§ Mr. JESSONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the announcement that Sir George Newman, the new principal medical officer of the Board, is to have the status of a secretary of the Board, he will indicate what duties have been assigned to Sir George Newman; and whether those duties contravene the rule which has hitherto prevailed by which the position of professional and administrative advisers of the Departments of State have invariably been separately held?
§ Major ASTORThe organisation of the Board's staff, both medical and administrative, and the allocation of duties, are under consideration pending the establishment of the Ministry of Health, and it would be premature to make any statement thereon until Parliament has passed the Bill for setting up the new Department.