HC Deb 26 June 1884 vol 289 cc1417-8
MR. H. S. NORTHCOTE

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If that Department have enforced the retirement of Mr. Arthur Houghton from the Public Service upon the completion by him of his sixtieth year, and of his fortieth year of service in that office; whether the head of his Department has recommended that Mr. Houghton's active service should be allowed to continue; and, whether, under Paragraph 2 of the Admiralty Memorandum of May 1882, it would not be possible for the Department to continue Mr. Houghton's employment and save burdening the Treasury with an unnecessary pension?

MR. CAMPBELL - BANNERMAN

Mr. Houghton will be retired on the 30th of June, having exceeded the age of 60 years. The Regulation under which he retires was originally issued by the late Government, and was confirmed in 1882 by the present Board. The paragraph in the Memorandum to which the hon. Member refers states that— The only exception will be in the case of officers holding important positions, whose services it may be desirable to prolong, solely with reference to the interests of the Public Service. The case of Mr. Houghton was most carefully considered, and it was decided that it did not come within this exception.