asked the Minister of National Insurance when his Department proposes to commence interviewing candidates for posts on the local staffs of his Ministry; and whether these interviews will be conducted regionally or entirely in London.

These interviews, which are conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners, began last August. Nearly all the candidates who were wholly or mainly engaged on National Health Insurance work have now been interviewed, and in other classes of cases candidates will be interviewed in the near future. In accordance with the recommendations of the Committee which I set up to advise me, the interviewing and selecting of candidates for established posts in the Ministry is in the hands of the Civil Service Commissioners. The great majority of the applicants are interviewed in suitable regional or local centres but those who appear to be qualified for certain senior posts are interviewed by a special board in London.