§ 2. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade, whether it was intended to employ retired officers of the Royal Navy in those portions of the coastguard service taken over by the Board; whether any retired officers have received appointments; whether the appointments so far have been limited to officers already in the coastguard or those automatically retired by the Admiralty on their transfer to the Board; if he is aware of the very low pensions enjoyed by the retired naval officers who retired before the War; and whether he will consider giving preference to those who are otherwise qualified in lieu of employing officers retired since the War whose pensions are much higher?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Lloyd-Greame)I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a list of the appointments of these ranks made in the Coastguard Service, from which he will see that 23 retired officers 244 of the Royal Navy have received appointments. All the officers appointed have had service in the coastguard. In selecting officers for appointment, regard has been paid to the officer's fitness for the post and not to the amount of his pension.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the first part of my question as to whether it was intended to employ these officers, and whether it would not be better to employ the men who have small pre-War pensions?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMENo, Sir; in trying to effect economies it is essential that we should get into the service the best men possible. I appointed a special selection committee to consider the applications and I am acting upon their recommendations.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is a fact that those appointed from the Naval Service are those who are in receipt of the newer pensions; and that they have been appointed before they retired, and that this is most unfair to the pre-War pensioners?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI am trying to get the most efficient men for the job, and if you are to get the economies which we have in view and to maintain an efficient service, you must take the best men for the job.