asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he has yet given his approval for the appointment of a new chief executive in the IIRS; and if not, the reason for the long delay.

The present director general of the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards is not due to retire until 1 September 1984.

The appointment of a new director general will be by way of open competition and be subject to my approval in accordance with section 34 of the Industrial Research and Standards Act, 1961.

Has the Minister had a request from the Board of the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards to appoint a new director general? There is some discussion, if not agreement, on the early retirement of the present director general. Is it not unsatisfactory that the present chairman has been acting director general for a considerable time? Why should there be such a reluctance on the part of the Minister to appoint a new director general so that they can get on with the job?

The board of the institute made certain submissions to me as to the terms of appointment of a new director general. I considered these to be unsatisfactory and I had a discussion with the chairman of the board during which we reached agreement on all but one outstanding point of the terms of appointment which is the subject of further discussions. I hope to finalise that discussion and to convey my decision on the matter to the institute within the next seven days.

When did the Minister get the request in the first instance, when did he have discussions with the chariman and when does he expect to give his final approval so that the matter can be finalised?

I would not like to swear on the Bible but I think it is about three weeks since I had a discussion with the chairman. As I said, we agreed on all but one outstanding point of the terms of appointment.

When was the request first made?

I do not have that information but it was not very long before the discussions took place.

My information is that it was a very long time ago.

No, I do not think so.

Will the Minister deal with it as a matter of urgency?

I have already said that I would.