§ 40. Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Secretary of State for Air under what regulations and conditions retired officers are prevented from entering aircraft industries upon retirement from the Royal Air Force.
Mr. WardUnder Queen's Regulations, a senior officer is required to seek Air Ministry approval if, within two years of retiring, he wishes to accept an appointment with a firm having, for example, 513 contractual relationship with the Government. This is in accordance with the White Paper issued in 1937.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyCan my right hon. Friend say if any senior officers have been prevented from taking up such an appointment recently, and would he bear in mind that with so few military orders being given to the industry, many senior officers could be of great help in getting export orders? Would he interpret the Regulations very broadly in view of the present circumstances?
Mr. WardI have every sympathy with what my hon. Friend has in mind. Unfortunately, in these matters the public interest and that of the individual may sometimes lie in different directions, and we have to reach the fairest decision we can in all the circumstances of each case.