§ 38. Mr. MANDERasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will give an assurance that the new officers' employment bureau at the War Office will not include amongst its duties the offering of positions in armament firms to retired officers?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Douglas Hacking)If an armament firm requires a retired officer for any particular position, I see no reason why this employment bureau should not recommend suitable candidates in exactly the same way as it might recommend them for other civilian posts.
§ Mr. MANDERAre there not certain dangers in developing too close a connection between Government Departments and private armament firms?
§ Mr. HACKINGThese officers have retired and become civilians again. I see no reason why a civilian who has been an officer in the Army should not have the same number of jobs open to him as any other civilian who has not served in His Majesty's Forces.
§ Mr. COCKSWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that these posts are not given to serving officers?
§ Mr. HACKINGThe answer to the following question deals with that point.