HC Deb 30 May 1933 vol 278 cc1700-1
22. Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the proposed appointment of Sir Arthur Huddleston as director of the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, was only carried at a meeting of the governors by nine votes to eight; whether, in view of the resentment felt in Glasgow at this selection, he will defer ratifying the appointment until an inquiry is held into the reasons for nominating for this position a man with no technical knowledge or experience of Scottish industry; and whether he will state what pension Sir Arthur Huddleston receives as a retired officer of the Sudan Civil Service and what salary he is to be paid if appointed director of the technical college?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)

My right hon. Friend has no official information as to the details of the voting on the appointment in question. The selection of a director is primarily a matter for the governors of the college, who are representative of the industrial and educational interests of Glasgow and the West of Scotland, and my right hon. Friend sees no reason for withholding his approval of their choice. The salary which the governors propose to pay to the new director is £l,250 per annum. Following the usual practice with regard to those in receipt of pensions, my right hon. Friend does not propose to make any inquiry as to any sum which Sir Arthur Huddleston may be receiving in respect of his past services elsewhere.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is there any truth in the statement, very current in Glasgow, that Sir Arthur Huddleston has been dumped down on Glasgow by a very prominent Member of the Cabinet in order that someone may get a knighthood in return for his friend getting his job?

Mr. SKELTON

I have no information about this interesting canard.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Seeing that this is a very serious allegation—I will make it outside if necessary—will the Secretary of State institute an inquiry, and see if there is something shady going on behind his appointment, which has caused such an outcry in Glasgow?

Mr. MAXTON

Will this man be eligible for a pension under the rules of the Scottish Education Superannuation Fund?

Mr. SKELTON

I could not answer that question without inquiry.