§ MR. HOPWOODasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the Admiralty or War Office, in compelling efficient public servants to retire because they have reached sixty years, are authorised to do so by any Statute or Resolution of this House?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)My hon. and learned Friend should have addressed this Question to the Secretary of State for War, or the Secretary to the Admiralty, rather than to me, as the duty of the Treasury in these matters is to award the pension of an officer reported to them by the Head of his Department as retiring from the Service. But to 927 save time I have made inquiries on this subject, and I am not aware of any Statute or Resolution of this House which would prevent the Heads of either of these Departments from acting as my hon. and learned Friend's Question implies that they have acted in the case of a public servant holding office during the pleasure of the Crown.