HC Deb 24 July 1919 vol 118 cc1556-8
45 and 46. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Prime Minister (1) what, if any, action has been taken to clear out of Government offices the officials of enemy origin who are not mentioned in the second schedule to the Report of Lord Justice Bankes Committee; (2) what action he proposes to take after peace is declared regarding Government officials of enemy origin who may have been suspended from duty during the War?

47. Mr. R. YOUNG

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware what number of the 1,594 persons employed in Government offices not of British or Allied parentage were employed in these offices before August, 1914; whether he will state how many persons included in the 1,232 for whom definite claims for retention have been made have only been engaged since August 1914, on Government work; and whether the Government intends to employ qualified demobilised officers and men in the place of those now in Government offices but not so employed before the outbreak of war?

Mr. BONAR LAW

After the most careful consideration of this question the Government has decided that it would not be justified in breaking its contracts with officials of enemy origin who have already received permanent appointments in the Civil Service and whose good conduct and loyalty is not in doubt.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Will the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to allow this question to be debated in the House, as the answer he has given is certainly not in accordance with what we deem to be the pledges of the Government?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I think the opportunity may arise before the Recess without giving a special day. May I say to my hon. Friend and the others interested that I am convinced that if the responsibility had rested upon them as it does upon the Government, they would have come to the same decision? The conditions at the time this Committee was set up were quite different from now. We were then at war, and we would have been justified in securing the national safety at all costs.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

I am not suggesting that contracts should be adversely broken; but has the right hon. Gentleman really considered the advisability of preserving these posts for English-born subjects? As lie has appealed to me, did I not suggest to him that- he should appoint a small Committee of this House to consider this matter?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is true. We have most carefully considered the matter, and we have considered especially the aspect to which the hon. Member has referred as to the desirability of giving employment to British-born men who have served. As a matter of fact, a very large proportion of these men did go, and have fought, and they went on the same footing as other Civil servants on the understanding that if they came back their posts would be given to them. I am quite sure that no other decision could have been arrived at.

Brigadier-General CROFT

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a definite pledge that henceforth no man or woman of enemy origin will be appointed to these posts?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is an entirely different question. We are perfectly justified in laying down any rule for the future, and we have made a new rule in this respect.