§ 41. Sir JAMES REMNANTasked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that an ex-lndian civil servant is employed in writing the naval history of the War at a salary of £500 per annum while in receipt of £1,000 a year pension; and whether he will give the work to some naval officer who is at present without an appointment?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Baldwin)As regards the first part of the question, my hon. Friend is misinformed. A pensioned Indian civil servant is employed in the naval branch of the historical section of the Committee of Imperial Defence at a salary of £500 per annum. He is not engaged in writing the naval history of the War, but is responsible for the selection and arrangement of Admiralty papers of historical interest. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given by the Prime Minister on 5th December and the First Lord of the Admiralty on 21st February last.
§ Sir J. REMNANTIs not this ex-civil servant in receipt of £1,000 a year as pension? If so, ought not this work to be given to someone else?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first part of the question is that that is so. With regard to the second part, this gentleman was appointed to the work some time ago on the recommendation of the Admiralty, and I have yet to know that the receipt of a pension is a sufficient reason for discharging a man.
§ Sir J. REMNANTDoes not justice demand that men entirely out of employment should be given this work?