§ 36. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will order an independent inquiry into the circumstances in which an Air Training Corps cadet, particulars of which have been sent him, was injured while attending a training course at Royal Air Force Station, Scampton, and into his subsequent treatment.
§ Mr. HattersleyNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAre not many of the facts still in dispute? Did not the hon. Gentleman have to withdraw one departmental statement which was inaccurate? Is not he relying on the reports of those whose conduct may be in issue? Would it not restore confidence all round if he showed courage and submitted this matter to an independent inquiry?
§ Mr. HattersleyThe right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is in three parts. As for the reliance which I 543 place on reports, I place my reliance on the reports not only of Service medical officers but of National Health Service medical officers who are also involved in this case.
As for the withdrawal of a statement, I was very careful in my supplementary statement, which I offered to the Press out of courtesy to the right hon. Gentleman, to make it clear that all that we hoped to do was clear up any misunderstandings that he believed to have arisen. I do not believe that any misunderstanding arose from the first statement. I am satisfied that the matter was dealt with properly.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter in full on the Adjournment.