§ 40. Mr. Lathanasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air for what reason steps were taken to prevent Mr. J. O. Payne, who for about 18 months prior to February last was employed as a temporary surveying assistant in the land surveying section of the Air Ministry, from taking a more remunerative appointment offered to him, after the customary application, interview, and inquiries by the deputy-commander Royal Engineers, Hounslow; and whether it is the practice of the Air Ministry to prevent their temporary staff seeking employment in other Government Departments at higher salaries?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadAs regards the first part of the question, I am advised that the action taken by the Air Ministry in this case was confined to the communication of information respecting Mr. Payne's qualifications. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative, although there are, of course, arrangements for ensuring consultation between Departments.
§ Mr. LathanIs it not a fact that the correspondence between the parties discloses no justification whatever for the reply which has been given in regard to the qualifications of the man concerned, and that he was, in fact, actually appointed by Hounslow but was prevented from taking up the appointment in consequence of action taken by the Air Ministry?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadWhether he was actually appointed by Hounslow is, of course, not a question for me, but one for the Secretary of State for War.
§ Mr. LathanIs it not for the Air Ministry to give information as to action which they took which prevented this man from accepting more remunerative employment in another Government Department?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadNo. As my original answer indicated, there is necessarily consultation between the Departments on the qualifications of people who may be employed.