HC Deb 09 April 1913 vol 51 cc1154-5
9. Mr. F. HALL

asked if the First Lord of the Admiralty has any official information showing that Vice-Admiral Sir Percy Scott will, after retirement, join a firm engaged in naval construction and armament work; and, if so, whether he will state the name of the firm and the nature of the position to he filled by Sir Percy Scott?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Sir Percy Scott is now on the retired list, and it is not incumbent upon him either to furnish the Admiralty with information or to obtain from them approval in regard to any steps of the character indicated in the question.

Mr. F. HALL

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Prime Minister stated that when these officers were retired they, as a rule, intimated to the Minister in charge beforehand what they intended to do, and obtained consent before accepting any position?

Mr. CHURCHILL

My attention has not been drawn to that particular statement of the Prime Minister, but I will verify the reference. It does not, however, appear to affect in any way the answer I have given.

Mr. BARNES

Is not Sir Percy Scott pensioned and retired, and if he accepts a pension is it open to him to accept private employment when pensioned?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Certainly he is pensioned. I do not know that he is going to accept private employment, but there is nothing to prevent it under the conditions of the pension which has been granted, and which, I may add, has been earned. I have always understood that the theory upon which a pension is granted is that it has been earned, and is to be regarded as deferred pay. There is nothing in the conditions under which the pension is being paid, and which has been earned, to prevent him from acting in this manner. I express no opinion whether it is desirable or undesirable.

Mr. F. HALL

May I ask whether it is the fact that the Prime Minister did make that statement in reply to a question by an hon. Member, and whether he will consider it, and be prepared to give me an answer if I ask a question?

Mr. CHURCHILL

There are quite different aspects of this question. When an officer on active service is approached by a firm of contractors with an offer to leave the Service in order to take up some work with them, that requires to be carefully watched, but the action of retired officers who have left the Service is not amenable to public control under any law or regulation which exists at the present time.