HC Deb 02 March 1938 vol 332 cc1098-100
42. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the nature of the unredressed complaints of long standing concerning treatment of officers in the Department of Civil Aviation of the Air Ministry which have been reported by Lord Cadman to him; who are the persons appointed to conduct the inquiry; when will their investigations begin; and will their findings be communicated to the House?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

My Noble Friend has, no recollection of Lord Cadman reporting to him any such cases, and, therefore, no question of inquiry concerning them arises. Lord Cadman did, however, state to my Noble Friend that he considered the working of the Operational and Intelligence Directorate of the Civil Aviation Department ought to be investigated, and suggested that it might be well to ask someone outside the Air Ministry to look into and advise him thereon. My Noble Friend has accordingly invited Sir James Rae, together with Sir Thomas Barnes, his Majesty's Procurator-General, and Mr. A. N. Rucker, of the Ministry of Health, to undertake this investigation. They will begin their investigations shortly. My Noble Friend will be prepared to communicate to the House any recommendation they may make to him.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Will it be within the power of these gentlemen to inquire as to whether or not there are any complaints of the nature indicated in the question?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

No, Sir. The inquiry is on a particular point which I have mentioned in my answer, and that is the point to which Lord Cadman drew my Noble Friend's attention regarding the work of the directorate, and not a question of any personal complaint.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Will it be possible to bring cases of such complaints to the notice of this committee?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

If the hon. and gallant Member has any complaints, I am quite sure my Noble Friend will be only too glad if he will communicate them to him.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

May I not communicate them to the committee?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

No, Sir. I think that, as the committee has been set up to consider a specific question, it would be better, if my hon. and gallant Friend has any personal complaints, which at the moment are not within the province of the committee, that in the first place he should communicate them to my Noble Friend, who would give them his attention.