HC Deb 16 July 1958 vol 591 cc1220-3
21 Mr. Simmons

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) why 7377842 Sergeant J. Gribbin, No. 36 Company, Royal Army Medical Corps, Tripoli, Libya, as a consequence of his communication to the hon. Member for Brierley Hill concerning the state of the stores at the Tripoli Military Hospital, was derated from his trade as Dispenser, Group A, Class I, and demoted from staff sergeant to sergeant, and is now threatened with being sent home in disgrace;

(2) why Staff Sergeant Gribbin was ordered to bury medical stores on taking over post as dispenser-storeman at the British Military Hospital, Tripoli; why dangerous drugs, including morphine and cocaine, were poured down the drain; and why five portable operating tables, valued at £40 10s. each, were left to rust in the open;

(3) whether it was with his authority that the Director-General of Medical Services, in view of the fact that Sergeant Gribbin had unearthed criminal activities on the part of his predecessors and superiors, charged him with being the most disloyal non-commissioned officer he had ever known; and if he will cause the Director-General of Medical Services to be censured and the home posting of Sergeant Gribbin to be cancelled.

Mr. J. Amery

Sergeant Gribbin was employed in the medical stores section at the hospital in Tripoli from October to December, 1957. In December, he took over as storeman on the departure of another N.C.O.

He complained about the state of the stores accounts, and when he was not satisfied with the answer he wrote to the hon. Member for Brierley Hill (Mr. Simmons). He also sought an interview with the Director-General of Army Medical Services who was visiting Tripoli. During the course of that interview, the Director-General censured him for his demeanour and attitude to his unit, but undertook to have his complaints investigated.

Arrangements had, in fact, already been made, as a result of the earlier representations, for a board of officers, supported by the Special Investigation Branch, to check the stores. They found that the accounts had been inefficiently kept. Stocktaking revealed stores deficient to the value of £12 and surplus to the value of £250. There was no question of dishonesty and the hon. Member is mistaken in his reference to criminal activities. It was felt that the inefficient book-keeping called for no disciplinary action, but there has been a change of command at the hospital.

Sergeant Gribbin was perfectly correct and indeed carrying out his duty in bringing the accounting errors to light. He has not been made to suffer for doing so.

Sergeant Gribbin's reduction in rank arose from an entirely different matter. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I apologise for the length of the answer, but it is in reply to three Questions. It was the sentence of a court-martial in May for an offence under Section 33 of the Army Act, 1955. I have already notified the hon. Member that the change of trade classification was irregular and will be cancelled.

The disposal of stores referred to by the hon. Member was perfectly in order. All the medical stores which were disposed of had been condemned as being unfit for medical use. Similarly, the operating tables had been condemned as unservicable.

We consider it to be in Sergeant Gribbin's own interests that he should be given a new post in the United Kingdom and this is being arranged.

Mr. Simmons

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that is an entirely unsatisfactory answer? Is he further aware that this man has eighteen years' service in the Army and that he has had eleven years in his present trade rating? Is it not a fact that after I had been told that Sergeant Gribbin's allegations were agreed substantially by the Minister he was derated and that he was only rerated after my private representations? Further, is it not a fact that he was court-martialled for refusing to disobey a written order at the order of an officer and that he has been subjected to all kinds of traps and tricks since he dared to bring this matter to public attention in order to make his life intolerable?

Can the Minister say whether it is true that his posting to this country has been cancelled and, if this soldier is posted to this country, that accommodation will be found for his wife and four children who are with him and that he will suffer no further reduction in rank as a result of this affair?

Mr. Amery

I have looked into the whole question very carefully, and the length of my Answer testifies to the interest that we have taken in it. I am satisfied that there has been no victimisation in any way of Sergeant Gribbin. He is being posted to this country. The question of his accommodation is one which I had not noticed, and I therefore could not answer it off the cuff.

Mr. Strachey

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that this case causes very great concern and anxiety? It is not in issue between us, because the Under-Secretary has agreed that Sergeant Gribbin was performing a public service in exposing deficiencies in these accounts. Is it not a most unfortunate coincidence, to say the least of it, that at the same time he has lost rank, or was threatened with the loss of rank,—[An HON. MEMBER: "He lost it."]—he lost it at one time, but I understand that he has been reinstated. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I understand that that is not so. I understand that he has definitely lost rank and has had this posting away. Will the Under-Secretary agree that the very least that could be done would be to hold an inquiry into this matter, because it seems—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I am really astonished at hon. Members opposite who have the interests of the Army at heart—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I agree with the importance of the question, but it seems to me to be a very good case to raise on the Adjournment, when the matter can be thoroughly discussed. It makes rather an encroachment into the time available for Questions if we try to argue this matter now.

Mr. Strachey

With great respect, Mr. Speaker, this concerns three Questions. The Under-Secretary gave a very long reply, quite rightly, to three Questions. This is an important case. Surely we are entitled to ask him whether he will have this matter looked into, not just by himself and his Department dealing with information which comes to them, but by some proper inquiry.

Mr. Amery

I am not sure that the right hon. Gentleman is quite seized of the facts of the case. There has been an extremely close inquiry, both by officers and by the Special Investigation Branch. I told the House in almost excessive detail the results of the inquiry. Any irregularities there have been have been brought to light and corrected. There has been no victimisation of Sergeant Gribbin. As I said, he has been posted home and there has been a change in the command.

Mr. Simmons

Will the Minister call a civil inquiry into the allegations and the treatment of this man? He has been demoted from staff sergeant to sergeant and he is being sent back to this country against his will. Will the hon. Gentleman guarantee that the allegations made by Sergeant Gribbin will not land him into any legal difficulties because of the lack of privilege involved?

Mr. Amery

The hon. Gentleman must get the facts straight. The demotion was connected with a court-martial proceeding which was quite independent of the other matter concerning the disposal of the stores. I am not prepared to pursue the matter any further now.

Mr. Simmons

On a point of order. I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment. It is disgusting.