§ MR. CREMER (Shoreditch, Haggerston)asked the honourable Member for Staffordshire (North Western Division), as a Lord of the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the dismissal of William Brightwell from his appointment as a gardener at the British Museum, after nine years' ex-exemplary service, in consequence of his having been summoned as a witness and giving evidence at Bow Street Police Court, when Charles Pulman, the Clerk of the Works at the British Museum, was fined by the magistrate for poisoning pigeons; whether it was Charles Pulman who ordered or was responsible for the dismissal of William Bright well; whether he approves of this dismissal; whether he is aware that the remuneration which William Brightwell now receives for the employment which has been found for him at the Houses of Parliament is nine shillings and one penny halfpenny per week less than he received at the British Museum; and, whether he will take steps to reinstate William Brightwell in his former position, or compensate him for the loss which he has sustained?
THE LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. LEVESON GOWER) (Stafford, N.W.)William Brightwell was dismissed by Mr. William Pulman from the post he held as labourer under the contractor at the British Museum, not in consequence of his having given evidence at Bow Street against Mr. Pulman, but for idleness and insubordination. The Office of Works, however, having regard to the circumstances of the case, were willing that other employment should be found for him by the contractor. That employment is less remunerative. If he had behaved properly in his former post he would not have been removed from it. The case was fully considered by the Earl of Morley's Predecessor, and he was not prepared to reverse the decision which was then arrived at.
§ MR. SERJEANT SIMON (Dewsbury)asked of what the insubordination had consisted?
MR. LEVESON GOWERsaid, he was not aware of the exact particulars, but would make inquiries on the subject.