§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware 1323W that the post of superintendent at the Gretna area office of the Carlisle District State Management Scheme was filled by the appointment of a person who acted as chauffeur to the previous district superintendent, and, for periods during the week, assisted behind the bar of one of the public houses coming within the State Management Scheme at Annan; and whether he will consider making arrangements in future for the filling of posts of this description by officers experienced in executive duties within the State Management Scheme?
§ Mr. ColvilleA vacancy in the post of district superintendent of the Gretna State Management Scheme, for which I am responsible, was filled last summer by the promotion of an officer who was selected as the most suitable after a survey of all the staff in the Scottish and Carlisle districts.
I am unable to accept the references in the question as accurately representing the range of this officer's previous work or qualifications, and I think a right to say that he has discharged his new duties to the complete satisfaction of the general manager.
As regards the last part of the question, the staffs of the schemes in England and Scotland do not rank on common lists, but it is the practice, wherever this course appears desirable, to consider the claims of well qualified persons from each district.