HC Deb 08 December 1943 vol 395 cc946-7
12. Mr. R. J. Taylor

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that one of the charges against a director of Blyth Shipyard and an Admiralty official, on which there was a conviction, was that tenders had been altered to the extent of £12,000, such addition still enabling the shipyard to secure the contract; whether this £12,000 has been returned to the Government; and, if not, is it proposed to take action to reclaim this sum?

The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. V. Alexander)

Yes, Sir. The sum of £12,000 has been deducted from amounts due to the company concerned.

Mr. Taylor

Has the right hon. Gentleman satisfied himself that these were the only cases of this kind in the shipyard?

Mr. Alexander

They are the only cases that have come to light.

Mr. Thorne

What is being done with the Admiralty official who was mentioned?

Mr. Alexander

He has been tried and sentenced, and is serving his sentence.