asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply, how many chemists are employed in administrative posts in his Department; and how many of these are unpaid?

No statistics are available to show how many persons in administrative posts on the staff of the Ministry of Supply hold qualifications as chemists. The number of senior officers with one or other of the recognised chemical qualifications who were engaged on that account and are mainly employed in functions of an administrative character is approximately 17. Of these, seven receive no salary from Ministry of Supply funds. These figures exclude staff of Royal Ordnance Factories and other Outstation Establishments.

Do they all come from one firm or one combine?

By no means. I have found it a little difficult to answer the Question precisely, because I am not sure what is the precise connotation of the word "chemist." There are many types of chemist.

Does this include pharmacists and those responsible, therefore, for medical supplies?

That was one of the difficulties to which I was calling attention.

What does the hon. Gentleman mean by "chemical qualifications"?