§ 46. Viscount WOLMERasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a speech made in Northampton on 31st March, 1924, by Major Evans, a permanent civil servant in the Ministry of Pensions, in which he made an invidious comparison between the humanitarianism of the present Minister of Pensions and that of all his predecessors; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Roberts)I have been asked to reply. The speech referred to was delivered in my presence, and my recollection, which is confirmed by the shorthand notes, is that no invidious comparison between my predecessors and myself was made or intended. I need hardly add that I should strongly deprecate any such comparison.
§ Mr. HOPEOn the general question involved, is it desirable that civil servants should utter in public encomiums on Ministers from whom, in the natural course of events, they might expect promotion? Can I not have an answer?