§ Mr. GROVESasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that certain posts in the directorate of buildings in the Air Ministry, which have hitherto been classified as technical, have as the result of mature consideration been' graded as higher clerical; that, in spite of this, preferential consideration is being given in the filling of these posts to officers with alleged technical qualifications; and that this has produced discontent amongst the clerical staffs; and whether he will go into the matter with a view to ensuring that posts classified as higher clerical shall be filled by promoting suitable clerical officers in the ordinary way?
§ Sir S. HOAREI am aware that it has been agreed that certain posts in the Works Department, hitherto classified as technical, may in future be filled by the promotion of clerks who have had suitable experience in the Works Department or as clerical officers on similar work. It has been arranged that the claims of such clerks to these posts shall be weighed against those of the existing holders by the Board which is making the selections for the other established posts in the Works Department. Future vacancies in these posts will be filled, I hope, by promotion from the clerical staff of the Works Department.