§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons he appointed a non-scientist to be director of the Tropical Development and Research Institute.
§ Mr. RaisonAn open competition was held earlier this year to try to identify a suitable successor to the present director of the Tropical Development and Research institute. The vacancy was widely advertised in the312W appropriate journals, but the competition failed to produce anyone who was judged to have the right combination of scientific and administrative skills. Since the new director will face the major task of managing the relocation of the component parts of the institute on a new site at Chatham in 1987–88, proven management ability was a prime requirement. An assistant secretary (Mr. G.A. Beattie) in the Overseas Development Administration has accordingly been appointed, on temporary promotion, to the post for the next two to three years. The aim will be for this officer to be succeeded in due course by an officer with a scientific background.