§ 7. Major Milner (for Sir Granville Gibson)asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that following the return to their London offices of a number of civil servants in the Air Ministry, from a Yorkshire town, a number of debts were left unpaid in that town, and that the Air Minisrty have refused to give the addresses of those debtors; and will he explain why they are not given, as this is the only way in which the tradesmen can get in touch with the civil servants in order to put pressure on them to pay their debts?
§ 5. Mr. Muffasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that some of the civil officers in his employ have been evacuated from a Yorkshire town and left many debts behind them; and whether he will assist in collecting those debts, and take such steps as are necessary to prevent his employés breaking contracts?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production (Colonel Llewellin)Only a few cases have been reported to this Ministry of civil servants who are alleged to have left unpaid debts in the town referred to. In accordance with the practice followed by Government Departments generally, the Ministry does not regard itself free to disclose the private addresses of its staff, except in cases where a court has adjudged payments to be made. The Ministry is, however, always prepared to deliver to the addressee communications addressed to one of its officers. If, on inquiry, it 370 appears that a member of the Department is seeking dishonourably to avoid his legal obligations, disciplinary action is taken.