§ Mr. T. GRIFFITHSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the late Mr. E. E. Webb, of the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, who was stated to have been discharged on account of being one of the least efficient officers, had been recently specially promoted by the Director-General and also favourably reported on by the departmental officer; how much sick leave had been granted to Mr. Webb; whether the regulation amount of sick leave had been exceeded in his case; if not, whether it is in accordance with the customs of the Service to issue notice of discharge to an officer absent from duty on account of critical illness; and 2224W whether, in view of the sad ending of this man's life, he will give instructions that in similar cases in future the state of the man's health will receive sympathetic consideration?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe late Mr. E. E. Webb had not been recently promoted, nor had he been favourably reported on by his departmental officer. At the age of 57 he was still at the lowest point of his grade, and when this fact was brought to the notice of the Director-General, he decided, on account of Mr. Webb's long service, to award a slight advancement in grade in October, 1920. During the period June, 1918, to March, 1922, Mr. Webb had received paid sick leave for 65 days which is not in excess of the maximum permissible. It is not the custom of the Service to issue notices of discharge to men absent from duty on account of critical illness. When reductions of staff have unfortunately become necessary, the fullest and sympathetic consideration is always given to all the circumstances of a man's health as affecting his degree of efficiency.