Minister in the face of criticism from the House of Assembly.

Vice-president Donald Peters said College administrators wanted to stay above the fray but added that Jannell Dill was selected for the post of assistant to the president because she was the best person for the job. Mrs. Dill is the wife of Jerome Dill, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education and Human Affairs, and questions were asked in the House of Assembly on the validity of the appointment by members of the PLP.

Yesterday both Mr. and Mrs. Dill said it would be inappropriate for them to comment on the matter.

But Dr. Peters said Mrs. Dill was subject to the normal selection process and subsequently was given the job as the best candidate out of the 19 applicants.

He said it would have been unfair to change their selection procedure because of who Mrs. Dill's husband was and it would also have discriminated against her.

When advertised, the position specified that candidates should have a baccalaureate degree in journalism, communicatons or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

In the House of Assembly, Opposition Leader Ms. Jennifer Smith said staff at the College were concerned about the issue and asked why the job wasn't advertised internally.

She added that some very well qualified people had applied for the post and only two were interviewed.

She questioned what might happen when it came to discipline and said there should be no appearance of nepotism.

College defends Dill She also noted that the Ministry of Education provided funding to the College.

But Mrs. Ann Cartwright DeCouto fiercly defended her Pembroke West Central running mate and Mrs. Dill.

"It seems to suggest that Mrs. Dill somehow has got the job because her husband is the Minister,'' she said. "I am very disappointed in the innuendo that she was hired because she was his wife.'' Dr. Peters yesterday added that there would be no conflict with any disciplinary matter, since the College operated as a quango and had no contact with the Minister.