HC Deb 12 November 1931 vol 259 cc269-71
56. Mr. McGOVERN

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men in the Royal Navy were discharged from the Service as a result of the Invergordon mutiny over threatened wage cuts; what nature of trial they received; the charges against each man; the length of service in each case; and if any appeal is allowed?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell)

In accordance with my predecessor's statement to the House on 17th September, there has been no penalisation in respect of the occurrences at Invergordon. The reply to the first part of the question is "None," and the other parts consequently do not arise.

Mr. McGOVERN

While the 24 naval ratings who were dismissed were not incidentally connected with the Invergordon episode, was it not due to that episode that they were suspended for dismissal?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

These men were dismissed, their services being no longer required by an order of the Board of Admiralty after full consideration. The reason for their discharge, as was stated in the official statement issued by the Board of Admiralty, was that after the return of the Atlantic Fleet to the home port they continued conduct subversive of discipline.

Mr. McGOVERN

Can the First Lord say whether there is any appeal in these cases?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

There is no appeal, and I ask the hon. Member and those connected with him to realise that they are doing these men no good and that it was greatly to their advantage that they were discharged.

Sir BASIL PETO

May I ask whether in the event of any of these men denying that they were engaged in anything subsequent to Invergordon they have a fight of court-martial so that they may put their case?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

No, Sir, but I can assure hon. Members and the House that the greatest care has been taken by the Board of Admiralty to see that no mistakes have been made in this matter.

Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

May I be permitted two sentences by way of personal explanation? I do not know whether this is the proper moment or not; but, as the Minister who gave the pledge and as the Minister responsible for the issue of the Order, I desire to say that we most scrupulously maintained the pledge which I gave to this House, that no punishment should follow events at Invergordon if, on the side of the individuals concerned, there was no recurrence of the trouble; and that I personally satisfied myself in each of these 24 cases that the men concerned had persisted in conduct subversive of discipline after the return of their vessels to the home port.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Is the First Lord aware that in one or two cases the men deny that they were guilty of wrong conduct, and will he grant to these men what is granted to every other citizen, namely, some right of appeal, so that they can state their case before a tribunal?

Mr. MAXTON

I want further to ask the First Lord if these 24 men, and these 24 only, continued disorderly conduct after the return of the Fleet to the home ports? Were they the only men involved?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

As far as we know.

Mr. BUCHANAN

I beg to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.