asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the first preference system is applied in the work of the Technical and Scientific Register and of the Appointments Offices.

No formal first preference system is in use for this purpose. The Technical and Scientific Register pays special attention to meeting the most important demands for technical and scientific staff. With regard to administrative and professional posts of the kind dealt with by Appointments Offices, there is in general no shortage of applicants, and accordingly no need for a preference scheme.