HC Deb 15 February 1922 vol 150 cc1030-4W
Captain LOSEBY

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether Mr. Grieve, a non-service chartered accountant, has been established in his Department without an examination; whether, had he not been established, he would have become substitutable under the terms of the Lytton Report; whether two ex-service men, also qualified chartered accountants, are retained in a temporary capacity; and what is the reason for this preferential treatment of a non-service man?

Captain GUEST

Mr. Grieve was appointed to an established post of accountant before any question had arisen of substitution under the terms of the Lytton Report. Consequently Mr. Grieve and the other two gentlemen referred to were brought into comparison primarily in respect of their professional qualifications. Mr. Grieve had greater experience both in private and Government work. He had served in the Air Ministry and other Government Departments for 3½ years prior to this date. In view of the ability which he displayed during this period, and of his professional qualifications (he was a chartered accountant of some 15 years' standing) the Civil Service Commissioners granted his certificate of qualification without examination under Clause 7 of the Order in Council dated 10th January, 1910, relating to the Home Civil Service.

Captain LOSEBY

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether a Mr. J. R. Spencer-Young employed in his Department was recommended for substitution by the Departmental Substitution Committee; whether this gentleman is still retained as indispensable; whether there are ex-service men available with similar legal qualifications; and why the spirit and letter of the Lytton Report is being ignored in this manner?

Captain GUEST

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. This officer is a solicitor, and has been employed in the Air Ministry for about four years. He is retained in accordance with paragraph 9 of the Third Interim Report of the Lytton Committee, and his case was recently reviewed by me as the result of representations made to me by a deputation, headed by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Islington, East (Mr. Raper). He possesses very valuable experience of civil law as affecting the Air Ministry, of the Air Force Act, Rules of Procedure, etc., and of general Air Ministry and Royal Air Force administration, all of which would be lost if he were replaced, even by an official with equal legal qualifications. I, consequently, decided that he must, in present circumstances, be regarded as indispensable.

Captain LOSEBY

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what grounds Mr. R. McGill, a non-service man, is retained as a surveyor's clerk; what was the pre-War occupation of this gentleman; and why Mr. Sleeman, a disabled ex-service man, who was a qualified surveyor's clerk and had, before the War, practised as an estate agent for seven years, was not offered the post instead of being reduced to a. Grade III clerk, after having been employed in a technical capacity for a considerable time and having performed his duties to the entire satisfaction of his chiefs?

Captain GUEST

Mr. McGill, who was employed by a firm of land agents before the War, has been retained on the recommendation of a Substitution Committee on which there was an ex-service representative. This recommendation was made on the following grounds:

  1. (a) that Mr. McGill repeatedly volunteered for military service during the War;
  2. (b) that difficulty was experienced in obtaining efficient ex-service surveyors' clerks.
I may add that Mr. McGill's case is about to be reviewed by the Substitution Committee. Owing to the decision to retain Mr. McGill, the post referred to was not offered to Mr. Sleeman.

Mr. RAPER

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are the special qualifications, if any, of Mr. H. E. Mitchell, a non-service man, who was recommended for substitution by the Departmental Substitution Committee; whether this gentleman is still retained as indispensable; why no efforts have been made to secure an ex-service man for the post; and what are the reasons for not applying the recommendations of the Lytton Report in this case?

Captain GUEST

This officer is a specialist heating engineer and is supervising the execution of the heating installation at Halton Park boys' training establishment. This installation is of a very extensive character, and was designed by Mr. Mitchell. I reviewed his case recently and considered that it would be uneconomical and undesirable to remove him during the currency of the contract, but the question of his retention will be reviewed when the' work on which he is employed comes to an end.

Viscount EDNAM

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) what, if any, are the special qualifications of a Mr. T. N. Elstob, a non-service man, who was recommended for substitution by the Departmental Substitution Committee; whether this gentleman is still retained as indispensable; why no efforts have been made to secure an ex-service man for the post; what is the reason for not applying the recommendations of the Lytton Report in this case;

(2) what, if any, are the special qualifications of a Mr. F, B. Willis, who was recommended for substitution by the Departmental Substitution Committee; whether this gentleman is still retained as indispensable; why no efforts have been made to secure, an ex-service man for the post; what is the reason for not applying the recommendations of the Lytton Committee in this case;

(3) what, if any, are the special qualifications of a Mr. W. S. Crosher, a non-service man, who was recommended for substitution by the Departmental Substitution Committee; whether this gentleman is still retained as indispensable; why no efforts have been made to secure an ex-service man for the post; what is the reason for not applying the recommendations of the Lytton Report in this case;

(4) what, if any, are the special qualifications of a Mr. W. Phillips, a non-service man, who was recommended for substitution by the Departmental Substitution Committee; whether this gentleman is still retained as indispensable; why no efforts have been made to secure an ex-service man for the post; and what is the reason for not applying the recommendations of the Lytton Report in this case?

Captain GUEST

Mr. Elstob is a trained sanitary specialist with an intimate knowledge of all the drainage systems of the Royal Air Force stations, having served as assistant to the late Chief Drainage Engineer during their construction. He is at present regarded as indispensable in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 9 of the Third Interim Report of the Lytton Committee, but his case will be reviewed from time to time with a view to substitution if and when possible. Mr. Willis deals with questions relating to fire prevention in the Royal Air Force and has had 30 years' service in the London Fire Brigade. The Air Ministry Substitution Com- mittee (on which the ex-service staff was represented) agreed unanimously to regard him as non-substitutable. The risk of fire at Royal Air Force stations is very great, owing to the large quantity of petrol, fabric, etc., and a fire of any magnitude at one of the large depots would be a most serious matter. Mr. Willis retired from the London Fire Brigade with the sole object of taking up the appointment under the Air Ministry. Mr. Crosher is a highly qualified London quantity surveyor and of great value to the Department. Owing to the difficulty in finding substitutes for non-service quantity surveyors, the Joint Substitution Board set up in accordance with the First Report of the Lytton Committee agreed some time ago that no further action should be taken regarding their replacement. Mr. Crosher is retained in accordance with paragraph 9 of the Third Interim Report of the Lytton Committee. Mr. Phillips is employed in the Directorate of Research and is the only officer in his section who has been constantly in touch with questions relating to engines in service during and since the War. He is now regarded as indispensable under paragraph 9 of the Third Interim Report of the Lytton Committee, but his case will he reviewed from time to time.

All these cases were reviewed specially by me as a result of representations made by a deputation headed by my hon. Friend the Member for Islington East (Mr. Raper) quite recently.