§ Mr. R. Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture why, in connection with the post of assistant-botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, recruiting is not to the grade of botanists on a scale of £337 to £738 per annum, in view of the fact that this is the officially recognised recruiting grade for persons professing the qualifications required; and whether he will give an assurance that appointment will be made to this grade?
§ Mr. Markhamasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that 2580W advertisements have recently appeared inviting applicants for the post of assistant botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, at a commencing salary of £155 per annum; whether he is satisfied that such emoluments will attract properly-qualified botanists who are university graduates and have done research work for at least two years in systematic botany; and whether he will give particulars of scales of salaries paid to scientists in the employ of the Ministry at the Royal Botanic Gardens?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am giving further consideration to the qualifications required for the post of Assistant Botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and, in the meantime, I am taking no further steps to fill the vacancy.