§ 6. Mr. KELLYasked the President of the Board of Trade when investigation was held into the report regarding the conducting of the Enemy Debts Department; and was evidence taken from employés and note made of such evidence?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the memorandum containing allegations in regard to the conduct of the Clearing Office which was forwarded to the Board of Trade by a member of the staff, and in connection with which the hon. Member asked me a question on the 12th June. The memorandum was received on the 11th April, and I instituted the fullest investigation at once. Specific inquiries were made from individual officers so far as it was not possible to deal with and dispose of the allegations by reference to Departmental records, and a note was made of the results. As I have already stated, I am satisfied that the allegations are unwarranted, and I suggest to the hon. Member that if he is not prepared to accept my conclusion, he should, in fairness both to the Department and the officers concerned, frame specific charges in order that they may be answered.
§ Mr. KELLYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am not making charges, but charges have been made in his Department, and, if investigation is to take place into serious statements which have been made, will the note of evidence be available?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI stated a fortnight ago to the hon. Gentleman that the fullest investigation took place in my Department by the senior officers of the Department. I have been into the matter of this investigation, and I stated to the House that I was satisfied that the charges made were entirely unwarranted, and I stand by that statement.
§ Mr. KELLYDo I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that he took evidence from employed in his Department as to the various charges which were made?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, the hon. Gentleman will understand from my answer precisely what I have stated. It is that in accordance with the regular and proper procedure of the Civil Service, an exhaustive investigation was made by the senior officers of my Department. For that I take full responsibility, and, if any charges are to be brought, let them be made specifically, and let me take the responsibility.
§ 7. Mr. KELLYasked the President of the Board of Trade the date of the appointment of the present occupant of the position of senior accountant of the Enemy Debts Department; and whether he was in the employ of the Government prior to this appointment?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThere are two senior accountants at present employed in the Clearing Office for Enemy Debts. One was appointed to his present post on 1st January, 1925, after previous service in the Department since 1st January, 1921. Prior to entering the Clearing Office he was not in the employ of the Government, but had acted as Director of the Repatriation Department of the Australian Imperial Force. The other was appointed to his present post on 1st March, 1925, after previous service in the Office since 20th September, 1920-Prior to entering the Clearing Office this officer had held a post in the Ministry of Munitions since June, 1917.