§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked tilt Secretary of State for the Colonies why candidates for the proposed Colonial Medical Research Service have been kept waiting with promises of engagement, but without definite appointments and without salaries, in many instances up to six months, as exemplified in the case of a Master of Science of London University with qualifications of the first importance, who was informed, in June, 1946, that his candidature as an entomologist would be considered, was accepted for research work in September, 1946, and, relying upon this engagement, returned to 77W England from Singapore, obtained his release from the Army and commenced preliminary work at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on 1st January, 1947, but has as yet received no appointment or salary.
Mr. Creech JonesI am aware that it has taken much time to settle the conditions and terms of service of he proposed Colonial Research Services, but that has78W been due largely to the very novel problems raised by the attempt to fit officers in an exceptional position into the establised practices of the public services I cannot accept the suggestion that a large number of officers have received promises of appointment from a responsible authority and have then been kept waiting indefinitely for their actual appointment. I am writing to the hon. Member about the case to which he refers.