HC Deb 15 May 1924 vol 173 c1539
34. Mr. HAYES

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the wording of the charge against Prison Officer Henry Fardon, Winchester Prison, who was subsequently dismissed?

Mr. HENDERSON

In the course of an inquiry held by a prison inspector into occurrences at Winchester Prison, information came to light pointing to trafficking by Fardon, and he was formally reported for trafficking with a prisoner between 1st January and 17th September, 1923. He denied the charge, and it was, in fact, not proved; but familiarity with a prisoner, contrary to the rules, was clearly established, and it was decided that he must be dismissed.

Mr. HAYES

Was Pardon actually tried on the charge on which he was dismissed, and was any of the evidence on which he was discharged evidence taken from a neurasthenic criminal, and therefore unreliable in so far as the officer's conduct was concerned?

Mr. HENDERSON

I must have notice of these supplementary questions, because this case occurred last year under another Government.