HC Deb 08 January 1942 vol 377 c34
64. Colonel Burton

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the conditions under which reports, confidential or otherwise, are made upon civil servants; whether such reports are shown to the persons reported upon; and whether persons reported upon are given the opportunity to reply thereto or be heard upon such report prior to any adverse action being taken?

Captain Crookshank

The normal procedure is that reports are made annually on the manner in which Civil servants perform their duties. These reports are confidential and are not sent to the officer concerned except when his work has been adversely commented upon. Adverse markings are sent to the officer, who may make any representations he thinks proper. Where a serious disciplinary charge (other than one which may glue rise to criminal proceedings) is brought against an officer he is given a written statement defining the charge and setting out particulars of the facts relied upon to support the charge. He is required to submit a written reply, and where there is a conflict of evidence between the charge and the reply he may represent his case orally. In this event he may have the assistance of a friend or colleague (who may be an Association representative).