§ 35. Mr. Palingasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the method of collecting evidence used in the case of the five men recently dismissed from the dockyards is still in operation as regards future possible offenders?
Lord StanleyThe Admiralty are bound to use every effort to obtain timely information concerning any attempt to imperil the safety of His Majesty's ships or Naval establishments or to subvert the loyalty of personnel, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose the methods which may have to be adopted for this purpose.
§ Mr. PalingIs the Minister aware that when this matter was discussed in the House a good deal of misgiving was manifest among Members at the methods adopted, and is it not time that this way of getting information, by means of spies, was abolished?
Lord StanleyInvestigations of this nature are cut down to the very minimum, but it is absolutely essential that we should be in a position to prevent action of the nature which I have indicated.
§ Mr. PalingBut is it not possible to achieve that end in other ways than by the disgusting way which was disclosed in the Debate?
Vice-Admiral TaylorIs there any difference between the methods employed in this case and the methods adopted in civil cases?
§ Mr. KellyIs the Minister aware that there is great disquiet among the men in the yards at the methods adopted and the type of persons engaged to undertake this task, who have to justify themselves on the job they have been given?