HC Deb 23 April 1923 vol 163 cc36-7
65. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that four gentlemen employed in responsible positions under the Ministry of Pensions are in receipt of pensions ranging from £1,040 to £525 a year; whether he is aware that there are a large number of competent ex-officers and civilians out of employment who are capable of carrying on the work performed by the gentlemen referred to above; whether, in the circumstances, he will cause inquiries to be made in all Departments of the State as to whether persons receiving pensions or grants sufficient for full adequate maintenance from the State for services rendered are being employed to the exclusion of men without pensions; and will he issue an order prohibiting the employment of persons in receipt of adequate pensions until all capable persons without pensions are in employment?

Mr. BALDWIN

As regards the first two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions on the 19th April. Although no centralised record is kept, the number of persons employed in Government Departments who are in receipt of pensions or grants from the State of the amount mentioned is known to be extremely small, and I have no doubt that in all cases like considerations apply. I am not prepared to prohibit the employment of the most competent person available for duties under the State on the ground that he is in receipt of a pension.

Mr. LANSBURY

Will the right hon. Gentleman be willing to lay it down as a rule that, if two persons of equal competency are applying for a position, preference will be given to the one who has not a living pension, so that the unemployed without pension may get work?

Sir H. CRAIK

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in making these appoint- ments or advising on them, make it his one object to secure the most competent persons for the work?

Mr. LANSBURY

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as to whether, if two persons applying for a position are of equal competence, and one has a pension while the other has not, the Government will decide that the person without a pension shall have the position?

Mr. BALDWIN

I am not very fond of making additional rules when you once have them. They very often work out oddly in practice.

Mr. LANSBURY

It is working out very hardly in practice.

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