§ 30. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the case of Lieut.-Colonel A. C. Tompkins, who was recently employed in the Colonial administration in Cyprus; whether he is aware that Colonel 897 Tompkins has been retired after more than 42 years' public service without any pension; whether a petition from Colonel Tompkins to His Majesty the King has been received at the Colonial Office in which complaint is made as to his treatment while in the public service; and what action has been taken in the matter?
§ Mr. AMERYLieut.-Colonel Tompkins's service was not entirely under the Crown and was for the most part in non-pensionable posts. His service under the Colonial Office amounted in the aggregate to about 6½ years only and the second and third periods of that service were separated by an interval of 27 years. The laws of the colonies concerned do not admit of the grant of a pension in such a case. A petition from Colonel Tompkins to His Majesty was received in November, 1923, asking for an extension of the period of his service in Cyprus or for transfer to another colony; but my predecessor was unable to advise His Majesty to accede to his prayer.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the right hon. Gentleman say how Lieut.-Colonel Tompkins can get all the serious charges he makes in that petition investigated, and why no investigation has been allowed?
§ Mr. AMERYI do not think it is a question of charges, but if my hon. Friend would like to raise this question as a separate question I will endeavour to give him an answer.