§ 1. Wing-Commander Jamesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the absence of proportionate retiring pensions in the 1941 Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service, such as exist in the fighting Services, results in the retention, to enable them to reach pensionable age, of persons who have shown themselves to be unsuitable for the highest posts, thereby, inter alia, blocking promotion; and whether he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)I cannot accept all the implications in my hon. and gallant Friend's question. Moreover, I would point out that the members of the Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service are now subject to the Superannuation (Diplomatic Service) Act, 1929, with the exception of six officers who, in virtue of Section 2 of that Act, gave notice of their desire to remain subject to the provisions of the Diplomatic Salaries, etc., Act, 1869. The Act of 1929 applies to members of the Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service the provisions of the Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1935, and they are thus for superannuation purposes in exactly the same position as other Civil servants of the Crown.
§ Mr. LeachDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this is more of a Government Front Bench problem than a Foreign Office one?
§ 2. Wing-Commander Jamesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many applications to retire in order to make room for younger men have been received during the past five years from members over 40 years of age in the services administered by his Department?
§ Mr. EdenNo application to retire for the reason stated by my hon. and gallant Friend has been received during the period in question. It must be remembered that save in exceptional circumstances members of these services are not eligible for a pension until they have reached the age of 60.
§ 10. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names of those European countries where His Majesty's Government are represented by Roman Catholics in the posts of Ambassador, Minister, First Secretary or Councillor?
§ Mr. EdenNo, Sir. Members of the Diplomatic Service are not required at any time to state the Church to which they belong, and any such inquiry would, in 1942 my view, imply a reversion to the standpoint of religious discrimination happily abandoned in this country for over 100 years.
§ Colonel WedgwoodMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in view of the pro-Franco propaganda of the Roman Church and the anti-British propaganda of the Roman State, it is desirable to have this divided allegiance in so many European capitals?
§ Mr. EdenI must take exception to that supplementary question if there is any implication of the service of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Whatever their religious convictions may be they all render equally loyal and disinterested service to the State.
§ Mr. ThurtleMay I ask whether at the time of entering into the Diplomatic Service any inquiry is made into the religious beliefs of the persons concerned?
§ Sir Patrick HannonCan the right hon. Gentleman recall any instance in the story of the Foreign Office of any charge being made against the character and loyalty of Catholic Ambassadors and Ministers abroad?