§ Mr. Anthony HurdI desire to present a humble Petition signed by 2,100 residents of the Newbury division of Berkshire and elsewhere concerning John William Chesterman of Little Lakes. Grazely, Berkshire. After 26 years' service in the London Metropolitan Police he was, until December, 1947, employed by the Ministry of Supply at the depot at Burghfield, Berkshire, as a plain clothes detective.
The Petition shows that in the discharge of his duties John William Chesterman made reports to the authorities alleging dishonesty on the part of senior officials at the Ministry's depot, particularly in the months of October and November, 1947. Almost immediately afterwards John William Chesterman's employment as a plain clothes detective was declared redundant. He declined to accept alternative employment by the Ministry at Burghfield, and he was discharged from the service of the Ministry of Supply having been denied a hearing which he requested as a member of a trade union. John William Chesterman has since been unable to obtain other employment.
The Petition ends with the prayer:
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that a public inquiry should be held into matters alleged to reflect on public administration at the Burghfield depot and the circumstances in which John William Chesterman was dismissed from his employment with the Ministry of Supply in December, 1947.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
§ To lie upon the Table.