HC Deb 22 June 1948 vol 452 cc1132-3
58. Mr. Hardy

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the result of his inquiry concerning the allegations of sabotage on the part of civil servants made last October by the hon. Member for Bexley (Mr. Bramall).

Sir S. Cripps

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 27th October, 1947—OFFICIAL REPORT, Col. 504—that I had asked my hon. Friend the Member for Bexley (Mr. Bramall) for particulars supporting his assertions in a public speech that civil servants were sabotaging the Government. In reply my hon. Friend informed me that his remarks had been reported out of their context and that he had made a point of saying that he was well aware that the great majority of civil servants were doing their work loyally and well. My hon. Friend further said that on reflection he had come to the conclusion that it would have been better to use the word "disloyalty" rather than "sabotage" to convey what he had in mind. Shortly afterwards he sent me particulars of 10 incidents in support of the views he had expressed.

On receiving these particulars, I asked Sir John Forster, K.C., the President of the Industrial Court, to make a full inquiry into the allegations made and to report to me how far they, if substantiated, constituted acts of disloyalty to the Government. Sir John Forster has gone into the matter very fully and I should like to take this opportunity of thanking him on behalf of the Government for the patient and thorough work he has done. I am glad to inform the House, and I am sure the House will be glad to hear, that his findings are that in no single one of the incidents investigated was there any evidence of sabotage or disloyalty on the part of any member of the Civil Service. My hon. Friend the Member for Bexley has been informed of these findings and has expressed to me his desire to withdraw the allegations which he made in all good faith.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of that report which has been given to the Prime Minister, will not he stop this quite unjustified discrimination against Communists working in the Civil Service?

Sir S. Cripps

No, Sir.

Earl Winterton

Do I understand the right hon. and learned Gentleman to say that the hon. Member for Bexley (Mr. Bramall) has not merely withdrawn the allegation, but has apologised to the civil servants for the charges he has made against them?

Sir S. Cripps

I said that he had been informed of the findings and had expressed to me his desire to withdraw the allegations, which he made in all good faith.

Hon. Members

Where is he?