§ Dr. Littleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what officers of his Department have been sent to Northern Ireland for the recruitment of assistant land surveyors and assistant civil engineers in connection with the opencast coal programme; and how many persons have been engaged for this work.
§ Mr. HicksAs I informed the hon. Member on 11th May, officials of the Ministry of Works visited Eire at the suggestion of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, since candidatesprima facie suitable were known to be available there. No officers of my Ministry have visited Northern Ireland for this purpose as the Ministry of Labour and National Service are in close touch with the responsible authorities in Northern Ireland.