asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the reason seven regional inspectors were recruited from the ranks of the central fisheries board staff; the reason the regional board staff were not given the opportunity of competing for any of these positions; when and if these people will take up their post; if it is true that these people have notification of the promotions in writing even though they have been blocked by his Department; and whether the two additional ranks of inspectors were created within the central board to facilitate two members of the staff.

I have been informed that no inspectors have been recruited from the ranks of the Central Fisheries Board staff to serve with the regional fisheries boards. The recruitment of staff by the regional fisheries boards is a matter for the boards themselves.

There are now five inspectors employed by the Central Fisheries Board as compared with six at the time of the dissolution of the Inland Fisheries Trust.