HC Deb 27 January 1943 vol 386 cc486-7
33. Major Lyons

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to a case at Manchester Assizes where an Admiralty employee was convicted on 17th December; whether he is aware that this man was appointed a few weeks after being released from prison; why, by whom and upon what scrutiny this appointment was made; and what steps have been taken to prevent any repetition of such selection?

Mr. George Hall

For the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply made by my hon. Friend the Civil Lord on Tuesday of last week to a Question by the hon. Member for Denbigh (Sir H. Morris-Jones) concerning Vincent Furlong. The existing arrangements for investigating the character and antecedents of workmen before appointment are already under examination, with a view to eliminating defects, so far as this is possible without involving excessive delays or an undue increase of clerical work.

Major Lyons

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that if there had been any ordinary precautions at all this unfortunate case could not have occurred, and will he see that this sort of thing cannot happen again and that the, whole machinery is tightened up?

Mr. Hall

The normal precautions were taken, that is, as far as making inquiries where the police are concerned. That was done, and this man was in the employ of the Admiralty for a period of 10 months during which time he gave entire satisfaction.

Major Lyons

Is it not a fact that the man came almost straight out of prison to the Admiralty appointment, and could not the police have told the Admiralty, if they had inquired at all, that this man had come straight from prison to which he had been recently committed?

Mr. Hall

The normal inquiries were made—

Lieutenant-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

What good are they?

Mr. Hall

They were the inquiries of the police as to whether they had any information concerning any criminal action committed by this person.

Major Lyons

Did the police give him a good character; did they state that this man had come out of prison without disclosing the facts, and, if so, would the right hon. Gentleman take up the matter with the Home Secretary?

Mr. Hall

The police said they had no information concerning any criminal action on the part of this man.

Major Lyons

In view of this unfortunate occurrence, is the Admiralty going to sit down and do nothing?