§ Sir W. Waylandasked the Minister of Information whether he made inquiries among disabled ex-service men's associations for suitable candidates before he advertised for women Press examiners; and, if not, will he do so now?
§ Mr. NicolsonThe Ministry of Information did not advertise for women Press examiners. They were recruited, as all the Ministry's staff is, through the Ministry of Labour and National Service. The employment of women for this work was a considered contribution to the manpower problem. There appears to be no reason to change the present practice.
§ Mr. Bartlettasked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that Mr. Renyi, a Czech subject, with a perfect knowledge of Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and other languages, who has worked in the Press Censorship Department since the early days of the war, has been dismissed because he has not yet been naturalised; and will steps be taken to reinstate him since no equally competent censor has been found?
1497W
§ Mr. NicolsonAs my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury informed my hon. and gallant Friend the member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 18th July, aliens are in general disqualified for posts in the Civil Service. Accordingly Mr. Renyi has been given notice of the termination of his appointment in the Censorship Division of the Ministry of Information. I am appointing in his place a British subject who possesses a knowledge of Hungarian and who appears to be otherwise suitable. Censorship of Press matters in other languages on which Mr. Renyi has been employed can be undertaken by the existing officers of the Division.
§ Mr. Lyonsasked the Minister of Information the number and descriptions of positions in his Department which are salaried at the rate of the £2,000 per annum or over?
Mr. CooperThere are two posts in the Ministry of Information for which the approved annual salary is £2,000 or over, namely the Director-General (£2,500) and the Deputy Director-General (£2,000).