HC Deb 31 March 1919 vol 114 c879
85. Mr. RAPER

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry what were the exact reasons given by a public auditor for resigning at the end of last year from his position as voluntary auditor of aerodrome acounts?

Mr. PRATT

The specific grounds stated were: (1) That no attempt was made to provide the auditors in question with necessary staff; (2) that the highest salary paid in the Department responsible for passing bills was £250, and very few of the staff had any knowledge of the work prior to engagement; and (3) that several members of the staff were highly dissatisfied as to their future, and it was a matter of extreme urgency that something should be done in that respect. Various matters were referred to in general terms, but these were the only specific reasons given.

Sir E. CARSON

Were those reasons true reasons?

Mr. PRATT

Oh, no, Sir, I could not answer that question.