HC Deb 06 May 1890 vol 344 cc256-8
MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to a paragraph in the United Service Gazette of Saturday, 26th April, stating that a certain Major General, compulsorily retired, had asked for, and been refused, the actuarial calculations upon which the rate of compensation was fixed; and, if so, why was it refused; and, if those calculations were correct, why was the data upon which the calculations wore founded given in the case of a retired Colonel of Engineers, and refused to the other officers?

*THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR WAR (Mr. BEODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

Actuarial calculations as to the retired pay of officers are confidential documents for the assistance of the Secretary of State in fixing the amount to be awarded. I am not aware that the actuarial calculations have been given in any recent case.

MR. SUMMERS (Huddersfield)

I beg to ask the Attorney General whether he will call the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions to the facts and allegations connected with the Salford gas contracts, with a view to proceedings being taken against all persons who have not yet been brought to justice, with respect to whom primd facie evidence exists that they have been engaged in a conspiracy to defraud the ratepayers of Salford?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir R. WEBSTER,) Isle of Wight

I have not sufficient information to enable me to reply to the question. If any statement is laid before me I will take care that it is submitted to the Public Prosecutor.

MR. SUMMERS

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government will consider the propriety of introducing a Salford Corporation (Commission) Bill, on the lines of the Metropolitan Board of Works (Commission) Bill, which was introduced into this House by the Home Secretary, the First Lord of the Treasury, and the Under Secretary for the Home Department, in the year 1888?

*MR. W. H. SMITH

I would remind the hon. Member that the Metropolitan Board of Works (Commission) Bill was only introduced after an Address to the Crown had been moved by the right hon. Lord the Member for Paddington, and after he had shown that there was no legal remedy open to those who felt themselves aggrieved. As regards Salford, the Government are not at all satisfied that the legal remedies have been exhausted. I In the absence of proof to that effect, and in the absence of an Address to the Crown, the Government as yet see no reason why they should be expected to take the initiative.