HC Deb 30 December 1912 vol 46 c19
31. Mr. FRED HALL (Camberwell, Dulwich)

asked what was the extent of the punishment inflicted on Mr. J. E. Taylor, staff engineer at the Post Office, owing to his purchase of Marconi shares; and were any other Civil servants similarly punished for dealing in these shares?

Captain NORTON

Mr. Taylor has been reduced from the rank of staff engineer to that of assistant superintending engineer, the respective scales being £520 by £20 to £700 and £420 by £20 to £500. His actual salary is reduced from £540 to £500. No other officer of my Department, so far as my right hon. Friend is aware, has dealt in these shares.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

Would it not have been fairer to await the Committee's Report before reducing this man?

Mr. HALL

Were steps taken to find out whether or not there were any other members of the staff of the Post Office who had information in regard to the agreement, and, if necessary to punish them; or has Mr. Taylor been made a scapegoat for somebody else? May I ask for an answer?

HON. MEMBERS

"Answer" and "Put the Question down."