§ 11 and 12. Mr. INSKIPasked the Minister of Pensions (1) whether he is aware that m the Local War Pensions Committee's Handbook, page 86, paragraph 318 (3a), dealing with the appointment of principal officers of such committees, it is laid down that the Minister will not be prepared to approve any appointment of a candidate who has not served in the forces unless he is satisfied that no ex-service candidate is suitable for the post; whether he still acts on this principle in making or confirming such appointments;
(2) whether he is aware that the Bristol Local War Pensions Committee received 419 applications for their secretaryship recently advertised; that the committee left the appointment to the Minister, submitting two names for his consideration; that the names submitted were those of the assistant secretary of the committee and a lieutenant-colonel with distinguished service in the late War, the assistant secretary being a young man of about 30 years of age, with no military service, although not medically rejected; that the Ministry appointed the young man with no service, although the other submitted candidate had, in addition to his service, considerable organising experience in civil life; and, if so, why preference was given to the young man with no service, having regard to the War Pensions (Proceedings of Committees) Regulations, 1919, Nos. 8 and 9?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe rule referred to which requires preference to be given, in the appointment of principal officers of local committees, to suitable candidates who have served in the armed forces of the Crown, is carefully observed by the Ministry, and there is no intention of departing from it. In determining the suitability of the candidates, I am bound, when considering fresh appointments, particularly in the case of the larger and more important local committees who are charged with the expenditure of public funds of very large amounts, to give due weight to the relative qualifications of all candidates; and experience and proved capacity in pensions administration must obviously be considered. In the case of the appointment to the secretaryship of the Bristol Local War Pensions Committee, the relative suitability of the two candidates referred to was very carefully considered, and I am satisfied that the most suitable candidate was appointed. Though he had not actually served, he had volunteered for military service no fewer than five times. He had been four years in the service of the Committee, had been assistant secretary for 18 months, and was thoroughly acquainted with the work. I may add, moreover, that the appointment actually made had the support of the majority of the Local War Pensions Committee itself, and that strong representations on behalf of this candidate were made by the ex-service men's federation in the area.
§ Mr. INSKIPIs the right Gentleman prepared to say that the colonel, who served in the late War, was not suitable for the position?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI did not at all say that. I said that the more suitable candidate was appointed.
§ Mr. INSKIPIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rule to which he says he adheres states that
The Minister will not be prepared to approve any appointment of a candidate who has not served in the Forces unless he is satisfied that no ex-service man is suitable.How does he reconcile that with the appointment of this assistant secretary?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy principle has always been to appoint ex-service men, other circumstances being equal.
§ Mr. INSKIPThe rule does not say so.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIt does, but where there are two candidates, as in this case, I must decide in the best interests of the State. All the local people—and after all it is the local committee—told me this was the better man; they unanimously told me that, and in view of these facts and that he did not serve through no fault of his own, I came to the conclusion I did.
§ Mr. INSKIPWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to have the rule amended to say that the most suitable man will be appointed without reference to war service?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, I cannot do that. The local committee have charge of very considerable public funds, and I repeat that when the local war pensions committee itself has come to the conclusion that the assistant secretary is the best man for that particular job, he ought to get it. I think ex-service men ought to get the first chance, but it is very difficult for a man who knows nothing about pensions work to take control of a very large committee, and in this case I feel bound to say that I think I was justified in making this appointment.
§ Major M. WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that by construing this rule so as to give the appointment to the more suitable man he is breaking the rule, because the rule does not say that the ex-service man must be more suitable; he must not be suitable, or else he gets the job?