HC Deb 17 January 1945 vol 407 cc160-1
57. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Minister of Supply if his attention has been drawn to the judgment of the Court of Appeal, dated 8th December, 1944, in Reece versus Ministry of Supply and Ministry of Works and Planning, in which the Court commented gravely upon the levity, coupled with insistence, with which categorical statements were made on the instructions of the Ministry of Supply and which the court considered to be contrary to the high traditions of our Civil Service; and if, in connection therewith, disciplinary action or other has been taken to remedy the position disclosed.

Sir A. Duncan

Yes, Sir. The statements in question, which related to the nature of employment, were made by the solicitors acting for the Ministry of Supply in a compensation case on incorrect information supplied by the manager of a mine operated on behalf of the Ministry. I am having the whole matter carefully considered and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Mr. Woodburn

Would the right hon. Gentleman find out why his Department, after the matter had been re-investigated, still insisted that the information they had given was correct?

Sir A. Duncan

That is not my information, but I am having it fully investigated.

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