An officer will be permanently assigned to this duty in the very near future. The position of secretary to the SAC appeals advisory board has been normally filled, on a part-time basis, by an appropriately qualified member of staff from my Department's national parks and wildlife service. Given the need for the person acting as secretary to report directly to the chairperson of the board, my Department seeks to avoid temporary reassignment or sharing of the duties of secretary. The filling of the present vacancy is being approached on this basis.