§ 44. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances in which Observer-Officer Harold Smith has been retired from the 1904 Air Force; whether it is considered that the offence committed by this officer in August last on the night of the annual sports of his unit was of a nature serious enough to merit dismissal from the force; whether the incident in which Mr. Smith was involved during previous service in India was taken into account in the determining of his punishment for the later offence; why has he been given a character on retirement of such an unsatisfactory nature as to prevent him taking up other employment which was open to him; and if an inquiry will be held into the whole matter at an early date?
Captain GUESTIn answer to the first question, I personally investigated all the circumstances connected with the service of Observer-Officer Harold Smith in the Royal Air Force before he was called upon to resign his commission, and was satisfied that his retention as an officer was not desirable in view of the reports which had been received as to his conduct. In answer to the second and third questions, the incident referred to was the culminating offence which, taken by itself, might not have entailed upon the officer the call to resign his commission, but considered in conjunction with his previous record, which had necessitated his being placed under the strict supervision of his commanding officer on his return from India, indicated his unsuitability for retention as an office:. As regards the fourth question, the facts are that a fidelity guarantee company applied to the Air Ministry for confirmation of the statement that Mr. Smith had served in the Royal Air Force as an officer and inquired whether his service was entirely satisfactory. In accordance with their usual practice, the Ministry confined their reply to a confirmation of the fact that he had served as stated, and gave a reference to the "London Gazette." in which notice of his removal from the Air Force was published. No statement as to character was made. As regards the final question, I see no necessity for any further inquiry into the matter.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENW0RTHYIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that this officer, who won the D.F. Cross, is unable to get any employment because the Ministry will give him no character of any sort, and is it not rather hard 1905 to continue the punishment of this officer after he has left the Force, and so practically to prevent him getting work?
Captain GUESTMy hon. and gallant Friend is an ex-service man, and he will clearly see that I have said as little as I possibly could.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that what he says in this House does not matter: it is the reports that are made to prospective employers of this officer that injure him. Will he look into that?
Captain GUESTIf the hon. And gallant Gentleman will look in at the Ministry he can see all the documents and reports.