§ 13. Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which a Women's Royal Army Corps private, of whom details have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Brixton, was transferred from Hounslow Barracks.
§ Mr. ProfumoFollowing certain allegations of unnatural friendships, an inquiry was held into the conduct of some of the W.R.A.C.s at Hounslow. One girl who gave evidence at the inquiry felt that her position there would be difficult and consequently arrangements were made for her to be posted elsewhere.
§ Mr. LiptonIs it not most unfair that the victim of improper overtures should be discharged or posted away—I understand there are more than one of them—while abnormal characters seem to be kept on? Are parents going to allow their daughters to join the Women's Royal Army Corps, a very fine branch of the Service, if behaviour of this kind even seems to be condoned?
§ Mr. ProfumoI am glad the hon. Gentleman has paid tribute to this Corps, because it thoroughly deserves it. His facts are not quite right. In fact, the young lady I have just referred to in my Answer was not discharged. She was posted to another station, and that was done in her own interests, and I am sure it was the right thing to do. It was as a result of this very isolated incident that eight girls were discharged from Her Majesty's Service as being of no further value to Her Majesty. All these girls were girls who were implicated. As a result of the full inquiry they were found to have been implicated in this incident, and there was no question of innocent girls having been retired from the Service or of any of the girls who were guilty being allowed to remain.