asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that certain appointments to the staffs of local authorities are being made by interview and examinations conducted by boards selected from senior officers of those bodies, and of the undesirability in the public interest of this practice in view of the danger of patronage and close association with the members of a board being an important factor in the selection of successful candidates; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action to terminate this system.

The system of examination referred to by the Deputy has been operated in appropriate cases over a number of years in the local services and in the Civil Service and has been found generally satisfactory. I do not at present propose to take action to discontinue it.