To Dr. S. H. Arms, Technical Director.

Copies to:-  Mr. R.E. Burnett, Managing Director

Mr. W.A.G. Brian, Secretary/Accountant

Dear Dr. Arms,

Further to our meeting on Friday, December 31st, in which you gave me the choice of resigning or being dismissed, both with six months' salary in lieu of notice, I must protest at your action, which I think is unjustifiable, and at the terms in which you propose it should be carried out.

I understand that in Common Law, as between Master and Servant, reasonable notice must be given and that the more skilled, specialised or responsible the servant, the more notice should be given. I wish to point out that, in the field of electronic measuring instruments, in which the Company specialises, I am one of the leading national authorities. My experience since graduation has been almost exclusively in divers area. of this field and, as you know, among other things I am, with Mr. Burnett's approval, responsible for the learned society activities of the I.E.E. in the field of electronic measuring instruments and, with your approval, I am Chairman of the Institute of Physics Editorial Board of the Journal of Scientific Instruments, both of which have a national and to a large extent international status and authority.

In view of my exceptional standing in this specialised field, I must ask that the period of notice be extended to 12 months or that an equivalent amount of cash be disbursed from this point of view.

With regard to the compensation which you offered at our meeting on October 25th, 1965, I have been considering the basis on which this should be calculated. I think the following points should be taken into account:-

a) It seems to have been generally held in the electronics field and particularly among instrument manufacturers that I would receive a much more senior and responsible appointment in the Company than I have now. This has proved an obstacle to my obtaining a satisfactory post in other companies specialising in my chosen field.

b) Statements made by several very senior members of the Company, including yourself, have given me reasonable grounds for believing that I would by now have received such an appointment. Several attempts at clarifying my position have led to protracted discussions or series of events which have petered out inconclusively but with much encouragement to stay. You will recall, for example, the fate of the proposals I discussed with you and Mr. Burnett in July 1965.

c) Promotion opportunities in the Group have not been forthcoming.

d) I turned down an offer of one senior post and abandoned, shortly before final interview, my application for another of far-reaching importance because of the arrangements agreed with Mr. Burnett for the setting up of the Research Department and my appointment as Research Manager in January 1964. These agreed arrangements would have given me more management experience, greater participation in product and policy formulation and a seat on all top management committees. For the most part, the agreed arrangements were not implemented. See notice of appointment 16th December, 1963 and associated papers.

e) I have been under constant and at some times intolerable pressure, to abandon the agreement and my appointment, for some other which was never specified. This pressure has caused loss of morale and at times has reflected adversely on my health and the well-being of my family.

f) There would be considerable loss of status and greater difficulty in obtaining a job due to dismissal with pay in lieu of notice, without going directly to another job.

g) The resignation or dismissal with pay in lieu of notice would result in my being unable to take part in certain aspects of Professional Institution activities due to lack of office and secretarial facilities. These activities were undertaken as part of the duties of my post, specified by the Managing Director. The sudden reduction or cessation of these activities would put me in an unfavourable light vis a vis the Professional Institutions.

h) Expenses may be incurred in moving, rehousing and schooling.

My assessment of compensation is as follows:-

(a), (b), (c) and (f). Loss of opportunity within and outside the Group and loss of experience at this critical stage in my career will probably affect my salary over the remainder of my career (24 years) by up to £2,500 p.a. I may have a ceiling salary at present values of £3,500/£4,500 p.a. instead of £6,000/£8,000 p.a. In view of its probabalistic nature and the fact that the ceiling in the latter case would not have been reached for a few years, I am taking the modest figure of £500 p.a. over 24 years, i.e. £12,000.

(c), (d) and (e). Loss of earnings to date £1,000

(g), (h). For secretarial facilities and possibility of rehousing, etc. £500.

Together with the year's salary, the total settlement required is £16,525.

Whilst writing, I must ask you to desist from any acts, either calculated or which in fact undermine my status and throw doubts on my professional ability - such as the notice you issued and the one you apparently propose to issue concerning allocation of research staff between Mr. Wray and myself. I must ask you also not to pass derogatory remarks about my managerial ability. You have not been in a position to judge whether or not my management ability in the field of electronic measuring instruments is satisfactory.

I feel I should tell you that, in view of your ultimatum, I do not propose to let this very sorry state of affairs rest until justice is done and I hope you will see to it that a settlement is quickly made as detailed above.

Yours sincerely,

HV Beck