§ 2. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the nature and amount of the defalcations discovered in the Labour Officer's Department in the Seychelle Islands in the last twelve months; and what action has been taken to bring the offender or offenders to justice.
§ Mr. ProfumoIt appears that a sum between £50 and £100 may have been embezzled by falsification of records and forgery of payment vouchers. The disappearance of some of the records makes it impossible to be more specific; there was not sufficient evidence to justify further proceedings.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs it not a fact that, in spite of the evidence which appears to exist and which constitutes, as it were, a prima facie case, at least one person who might be responsible for these offences has been allowed to leave the islands and go to Africa with, I understand, the permission of the Governor? Should there not be some further investigation, particularly in view of the maladministration which has become so notorious in these islands?
§ Mr. ProfumoI cannot accept the last part of the hon. Gentleman's question. There was insufficient evidence for the issue of a warrant or summons. Therefore, this gentleman could not be prevented from leaving the territory.