Part of Orders of the Day — Reorganisation of Offices (Scotland) Bill. – in the House of Commons am ar 9 Gorffennaf 1928.
Those bodies can place their views before the Department, but it is not in the Department nor in the Board that you find the expert knowledge. The duty of the Department or the Board is to judge and weigh these matters. It has been said that it would be desirable if an undertaking were given that those in the present Boards will be fairly treated in the changes that are being made. That undoubtedly will be done. In the case of the Board of Agriculture there is no intention of removing the present Chairman of the Board. He will automatically become the head of the Department, for such time as the age limit permits.
If I turn to the Prison Commissioners, both the present holders of the Prison Commission will eventually retire on the appointed day, which will be the day chosen with reference to the easiest course for making the change over. These two are approaching, if they have not already approached closely, the age of retirement. If I turn to the Board of Health, there the Chairman of the old Board, unfortunately, through ill-health, has had to go, and the medical member, Sir Leslie Mackenzie, who is well known to Members of this House, has retired. There has never been a time in the history of the administration of the offices in Scotland when this change over could be made more easily, with less disturbance, and with less difficulty, as far as the individuals are concerned, and it is very largely because of that very fact that we desire the House now to give us this opportunity to strengthen and improve the administration in the sole interest of efficiency.