§ Mr. GOULDasked the Minister of Labour if he has in his Department a civil servant by the name of C. F. Rey; if this gentleman is holding a responsible post; and whether, before appointing him to his present position, his capabilities and record in commercial affairs had been examined?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMr. Rey has been a permanent civil servant since December, 1903, and was appointed after temporary service by the President of the Board of Trade. He became general manager of Employment Exchanges under the Board of Trade in 1909, and was transferred to the Ministry of Labour with the rest of the staff of the Department in December, 1916. He also served under the Ministry of Munitions, Ministry of National Service, and Ministry of Food. In 1919 Mr. Rey was granted a period of special leave without pay in order to take up commercial work. In May, 1921, on his return from leave, he was appointed secretary to the Committee presided over by Viscount St. Davids which deals with the consideration of applications by local authorities for grants in aid of work undertaken in relief of unemployment, for which work he has been seconded. Mr. Rey has performed the duties of this office in a way that has afforded me (and, I feel sure, others who have come in contact with him) considerable satisfaction.