HC Deb 15 April 1930 vol 237 cc2705-6
22. Mr. McKINLAY

asked the Secretary of State for War under what regulation the appointment of Mr. James McKechnie as deputy-lieutenant of the county of Stirling was rejected; if such appointment was approved by the lord lieutenant of the county and the Secretary of State for Scotland; and what steps he proposes to take to alter the procedure?

Mr. SHAW

Deputy-lieutenants are appointed under the Militia Act, 1882, and the Deputy Lieutenants Act, 1918. Under the latter Act, a candidate must be shown to the satisfaction of a Secre tary of State to have rendered worthy service as a, member of, or in a civil capacity in connection with, His Majesty's Naval, Military or Air Forces. As the appointment is a military one, approval is naturally given through the Secretary of State for War. As regards Mr. McKechnie's case, Mr. McKechnie has given no service in a civil capacity in connection with His Majesty's Forces and his military service fell far short of the period which is regarded as qualifying on that ground. I very much regret that I was therefore unable to regard Mr. McKechnie as qualified for appointment. As regards the last part of the question I see no grounds for altering the existing procedure.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Has he ever been a member of a Cadet Corps?

Mr. McKINLAY

Is it not the case that similar appointments have been made purely on political grounds in the past? [HON. MEMBERS: "Never!"] In view of the seriousness of this question, so far as the working classes are concerned, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

Is it not the fact that the appointment of deputy-lieutenants is a prerogative of the Crown?

Mr. SHAW

A prerogative of the Crown exercised through the Secretary of State for War.

Mr. MACPHERSON

As the hon. Member who introduced the Bill in 1918, may I ask whether it is not the fact that if a candidate for a deputy-lieutenancy has rendered any military service at all it lies within the discretion of the Secretary of State for War to appoint him or not?

Mr. SHAW

When this matter was before me, I naturally, this man being a working man, took a very lively interest in the case. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] Because I want to see working men represented throughout. The facts are that a consistent policy has been followed. A list of names was shown me of people who had not been appointed with much longer service, and I could not in common decency make an appointment which was contrary to practice.