§ 42. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Supply to state the circumstances which necessitated the issue of a notice to all members of the staff of the Chief Inspectorate Electrical and Mechanical Department, Walsingham, Chislehurst, and signed by Mr. F. H. Maclennan on the 14th January; how much Government time and labour have been lost to date and what is the estimated loss to the taxpayer.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussThe notice was issued because of the discovery that a certain amount of private work had been carried out at "Foxbury," Chislehurst. The time spent on the work was about 90 hours, and the estimated loss in labour and material was £13.
§ Sir W. SmithersWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether this notice, a copy of which I hold in my hand, was issued to the members of the staff because of my previous representations? Is he aware that the proceedings of this case are a local scandal and a typical instance of waste of time and public money?
§ Mr. StraussNo, Sir.
§ Sir W. SmithersWell, the right hon. Gentleman ought to be.