[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—I see that in
your issue of March 31st you reproduce the cases of pensions quoted by Mr. Jennings in the House of Commons, with the very natural remark that "if they cannot be fully explained away, the laxity in the grant of pensions has been occasionally disgraceful."
I think it right to say that, so far as the Foreign Office, Diplomatic and Consular Services are concerned, Mr. Jen- nings's statements are full of inaccuracies and exaggerations. Some of these may be due to incorrect reporting, but they are none the less misleading.
A pension of 2500 is quoted as one of £900; a maximum of salary, attained gradually after twenty-nine years' service, is spoken of as if enjoyed during the whole period from the age of eighteen (when the individual was receiving the normal stipend of 290 or £100); third-class interpreters are men- tioned, when first-class interpreters are, or should have been, meant, &c.
It would occupy too much of your space to attempt to give criticisms in detail, but I do not think there is a single instance affecting the services I have mentioned which does not call for some material correction or qualification.—I am, Sir, &c.,
T. S.
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