§ 99. Colonel YATEasked the Home Secretary whether an ex-soldier of exemplary character was recommended for the post of assistant usher at Old Street Police Court in August last, but that the appointment was given to a Mr. Talbot, an ex-butler of a Cabinet Minister; whether in January last the appointment of assistant usher to the Lambeth Police Court was similarly filled by the appointment of a Mr. Elynworth, another ex-butler of the same Cabinet Minister; and, if so, whether the practice of appointing Reserve or discharged soldiers to such posts, originally started by Lord Hartington and hitherto followed by his predecessors in office, is now to be discontinued?
§ Mr. MOOREOn a point of Order. I wish to ask if my hon. and gallant Friend is in order, under cover of a question, in making an attack on the Home Secretary for pensioning off his domestic officials at the public expense?
§ Mr. McKENNAI will answer the question, but at the same time I should be glad to know your ruling. Sir, on the point of Order raised by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI did not think it was a genuine point of Order.
§ Mr. McKENNAI do not know to what particular candidate the hon. and gallant Member refers, as there are many applications for assistant usherships in the Metropolitan Police Courts from civilians and ex-soldiers alike. When making the last two appointments I considered carefully the qualifications of all the candidates who had applied. The hon. and gallant Member has been misinformed as regards the practice in previous years. During the last ten years, eighteen assistant ushers were appointed, eleven of whom were ex-soldiers and seven civilians. I am fully alive to the desirability of finding, when practicable, suitable work in the Government service for discharged soldiers of 1492 good character, and I do not propose to depart from the practice of filling not less than half the appointments with ex-soldiers when suitable candidates are forthcoming.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the civilians appointed in previous years have also been ex-butlers of the Home Secretary or other Ministers?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have made inquiries on the point, and I find that in the public service—for messengers and in similar positions—in filling up positions of the kind a very large number of ex-butlers of Ministers from both sides of the House have been appointed. I am bound to say experience has proved that butlers prove far and away the better qualified for these particular posts than any other class of men.
§ Mr. RUPERT GWYNNECan the right hon. Gentleman say whose butler in this case was appointed?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt has already been stated.