§ Mr. RAPERasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a highly qualified ex-service man, Major Gordon, employed in a technical capacity at the Air Ministry, and previously with the Aircraft Production Department of the Ministry of Munitions for over five years, married and with seven children, was discharged on the 22nd instant; that it was definitely stated that his notice was issued solely on account of reduction of staff; that an alleged adverse report was brought to his notice only 36 hours before his notice expired j that such report referred only to his efficiency as deputy chief of his branch; that no adverse report had ever been made regarding his work as head of his section; that the ex-service men's association had pressed that he should replace a non-technical man, without children and understood to have considerable private means, at present employed in a technical post; that the qualifications of the officer under notice have never been disputed; that great efforts have been made by other responsible officials of the Air Ministry to place in a suitable post of responsibility the officer under notice; and whether, in view of these facts, he will grant an extension to this ex-service man in order that the whole case may be thoroughly reconsidered?
Captain GUESTAlthough I cannot accept all the points of my hon. Friend's question as correct, his representation of the case is substantially accurate. He puts it, however, as that of an ex-service man, but, as I have already stated in a62W reply I gave on the 23rd inst. to the hon. and gallant Member for the Torquay Division, the claims of Major Gordon from this point of view are far from strong; indeed, the first part of my hon. Friend's question suggests this. The case is, therefore, almost entirely one of efficiency. A reduction of establishment was necessary; Major Gordon's work was not considered altogether satisfactory (as he was aware at a much earlier period than that stated in the question), and this was naturally taken into account by his official superiors in considering who would have to go. The whole case has been carefully considered, and I regret that I cannot adopt the course which my hon. Friend suggests.