DISMISSED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 7

DISMISSED

Secretary of the Air Ministry SENSATION IN BRITAIN Considerations of Personal Advancement FIRM GOVERNMENT ACTION [By Telegraph—Press Association Copyright] Received Aug. 6, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 5. Mr Baldwin has directed that Sir Christopher Bullock, Secretary of the Air Ministry, be dismissed from the Civil Service following an official inquiry into discussions alleged to have occurred between Sir Christopher and Sir Eric Geddes concerning the possibility of Sir Christopher becoming chairman of tne Imperial Airways Board. The inquiry’s report, published as a White Paper and signed by Sir Evelyn Murray, Sir Richard Hopkins, and Mr L. Granville Ram (second Parliamentary Counsel to tne Treasury) states that there is no question of corruption, but Sir Christopher Bullock’s conduct is at variance with the spirit of the Civil Service code which precludes a civil servant from interlacing public negotiations with the advancement of personal interests. The report also emphasises that the discussions did not influence the negotiations of projected Government contract with Imperial Airways and cites Sir O. Swinton’s opinion that Sir Christopher Bullock was assiduous in securing what he considered the best terms with the result that a very satisfactory agreement was reached. The representatives of Imperial Airways behaved throughout with perfect propriety. The report outlines the conversations beginning on May 14, 1934, when Sir Christopher Bullock suggested to Lord Londonderry that the inauguration of negotiations for an Empire air-mail scheme might be an opportune moment to confer a high honour on Sir Eric Geddes. Lord Londonderry asked what honour would be acceptable to Sir Eric Geddes and Sir Christopher interpreted this as authority to sound Sir Eric, with whom he arranged an Interview. Sir Eric Geddes indicated that a certain honour would be acceptable if conferred in recognition of the linking up of the Empire airways. Sir Christopher Bullock then turned the conversation to his own career—a topic which the report considers was never absent from his mind. Sir Christopher Bullock explained that he had got as far as possible in the Civil Service and would like to join the board of Imperial Airways with -a view to succeeding Sir Eric Gedde* as chairman. Sir Eric Geddes did not comment, but was inwardly disturbed by Sir Christopher’s ambitions and naturally disliked the suggestion that he should retire. Honour as Reward Sir Eric Geddes asked Sir Christopher Bullock on June 21, 1934, why his name had not been included in the Birthday Honours. Sir Christopher Bullock replied that the honour would be conferred when the agreement was signed, to which Sir Eric Geddes heatedly replied that if the honour was a reward for negotiating the agreement it was out of the question and had best be forgotten. Sir Christopher again raised the possibility of becoming cnairman of Imperial Airways and tnough the subject was distasteful to Sir Eric Geddes, Sir Christopher obtained an interview with Sir Eric on September 9, 1934, for the purpose of suggesting that he should join the board of Imperial Airways as a Government director and deputy-chairman. Sir Eric replied that there was no vacancy as an ordinary director and he could not consider Sir Christopher as a Government director until he knew the mind of the Air Ministry. Sir Christopher Bullock lunched with Sir Kingsley Wood and Mr Humphrey, managing-director of Imperial Airways on June 6, 1936, to discuss points arising from the air-mail agreement and again raised the possibility of his joining the board of Imperial Airways.

The report, summing up, considers that the special intimate relations at all times subsisting between the Air Ministry and Imperial Airways made it improper for Sir Christopher Bullock to initiate conversations with the company’s representatives in furtherance of his desire to link his future with Imperial Airways. The fact that a contract of first importance was being negotiated afforded additional reasons for reticence and caution and the impropriety of Sir Christopher Bullock’s asking Sir Eric Geddes’ advice in respect to a personal ambition was further accentuated as it was first raised during an interview specially arranged for the purpose of discussing the conferment of an honour on Sir Eric Geddes. Moreover, Sir Christopher Bullock’s conversation with Sir Kingsley Wood and Mr Humphrey, though not made with the object of seeking influence in his favour, his succession to the chairmanship was apart from considerations of taste and improper in itself. The report adds: “Sir Christopher Bullock showed a lack of instinct and perception which should regulate the conduct of a civil servant, though he did not realise the gravity and true nature or the possibile consequences of what he was doing.” “Raking the Dead Ashes.” Sir Christopher Bullock has issued a statement stating that the board showed consideration and 1 impartiality but the raking of the dead ashes of the conversations distorted the whole focus. His friends, including three members of the Cabinet, knew that he tentatively thought of the chairmanship and did not consider there was anything improper in it. The Press makes the Bullock report the most prominent item, the Daily Mail devoting a full page to it. The Times, in a leader, gives a full

biography of Sir Christopher Bullock and regrets that so fine a record should end under a cloud; also that the public service, for the moment, should be involved in a certain loss of credit. It adds: “There is no alterntive about a postman or clerk who violates the law and no lighter punishment would be tolerable for a Ministerial head. The Government must be congratulated on determinedly facing the situation.