§ 45. Mr. Stokesasked the Prime Minister whether, now that the Chancery Judge's report on the militia camps has been received", he proposes to compensate for loss of employment and reinstate in other suitable work those persons who first drew attention to the extravagance and waste in camp construction, and who, in consequence, were either dismissed or have failed to obtain employment of a similar nature since?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot accept the hon. Member's suggestion that persons have been dismissed for drawing attention to extravagance and waste. Nor is there anything in the Judge's report to support this view. On the contrary in the letter, under cover of which he sent me his report, he said:
The question of 'victimisation' of the persons making the charges did not appear to me to lie within my terms of reference; therefore I did not deal with it in my Report.But it is a question upon which there has, I believe, been some public anxiety. I necessarily had to consider it as an incident of the charges that were made and am quite satisfied that there is no ground for the suggestion that there has been any victimisation whatever.
§ Mr. StokesWill the Prime Minister have examined the document which I hold in my hand and which concerns the dismissal of one of these persons, Major ReidKellett, if I send it to him?
§ The Prime MinisterAny communications which the hon. Gentleman has to make to the Government will be freely received.
§ Mr. StokesIs the Prime Minister aware that as a result of the representations made by one of these persons, there was an alteration in the War Office specification which led to a great saving in the construction of the camp, and that it was on account of the report then submitted that the man lost his work?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Sir Waldron SmithersIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal of evidence which has not yet been examined?
§ The Prime MinisterThis was referred to the Judge, and all the evidence available at the time—and this agitation has been going on for a long time—was placed before him, and I have confidence in his measured opinion.